US20160154259A1 - Light controlling apparatus and method of fabricating the same - Google Patents
Light controlling apparatus and method of fabricating the sameDownload PDFInfo
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- US20160154259A1 US20160154259A1US14/837,090US201514837090AUS2016154259A1US 20160154259 A1US20160154259 A1US 20160154259A1US 201514837090 AUS201514837090 AUS 201514837090AUS 2016154259 A1US2016154259 A1US 2016154259A1
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- controlling apparatus
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
- G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
- G02F1/137—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells characterised by the electro-optical or magneto-optical effect, e.g. field-induced phase transition, orientation effect, guest-host interaction or dynamic scattering
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- C09K19/00—Liquid crystal materials
- C09K19/52—Liquid crystal materials characterised by components which are not liquid crystals, e.g. additives with special physical aspect: solvents, solid particles
- C09K19/54—Additives having no specific mesophase characterised by their chemical composition
- C09K19/542—Macromolecular compounds
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
- G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
- G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
- G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
- G02F1/1334—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods based on polymer dispersed liquid crystals, e.g. microencapsulated liquid crystals
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
- G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
- G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
- G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
- G02F1/1337—Surface-induced orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, e.g. by alignment layers
- G02F1/133711—Surface-induced orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, e.g. by alignment layers by organic films, e.g. polymeric films
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
- G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
- G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
- G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
- G02F1/1339—Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells
- G02F1/13394—Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells spacers regularly patterned on the cell subtrate, e.g. walls, pillars
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
- G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
- G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
- G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
- G02F1/1343—Electrodes
- G02F1/134309—Electrodes characterised by their geometrical arrangement
- G02F1/134363—Electrodes characterised by their geometrical arrangement for applying an electric field parallel to the substrate, i.e. in-plane switching [IPS]
- H01L27/3232—
- H01L27/3272—
- H01L51/5262—
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10K—ORGANIC ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES
- H10K50/00—Organic light-emitting devices
- H10K50/80—Constructional details
- H10K50/85—Arrangements for extracting light from the devices
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10K—ORGANIC ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES
- H10K59/00—Integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, comprising at least one organic light-emitting element covered by group H10K50/00
- H10K59/10—OLED displays
- H10K59/12—Active-matrix OLED [AMOLED] displays
- H10K59/126—Shielding, e.g. light-blocking means over the TFTs
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10K—ORGANIC ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES
- H10K59/00—Integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, comprising at least one organic light-emitting element covered by group H10K50/00
- H10K59/50—OLEDs integrated with light modulating elements, e.g. with electrochromic elements, photochromic elements or liquid crystal elements
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- C09K19/00—Liquid crystal materials
- C09K19/52—Liquid crystal materials characterised by components which are not liquid crystals, e.g. additives with special physical aspect: solvents, solid particles
- C09K19/54—Additives having no specific mesophase characterised by their chemical composition
- C09K19/542—Macromolecular compounds
- C09K2019/546—Macromolecular compounds creating a polymeric network
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
- G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
- G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
- G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
- G02F1/133377—Cells with plural compartments or having plurality of liquid crystal microcells partitioned by walls, e.g. one microcell per pixel
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
- G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
- G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
- G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
- G02F1/1337—Surface-induced orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, e.g. by alignment layers
- G02F1/133711—Surface-induced orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, e.g. by alignment layers by organic films, e.g. polymeric films
- G02F1/133726—Surface-induced orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, e.g. by alignment layers by organic films, e.g. polymeric films made of a mesogenic material
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
- G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
- G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
- G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
- G02F1/1337—Surface-induced orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, e.g. by alignment layers
- G02F1/133742—Surface-induced orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, e.g. by alignment layers for homeotropic alignment
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
- G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
- G02F1/137—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells characterised by the electro-optical or magneto-optical effect, e.g. field-induced phase transition, orientation effect, guest-host interaction or dynamic scattering
- G02F1/13756—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells characterised by the electro-optical or magneto-optical effect, e.g. field-induced phase transition, orientation effect, guest-host interaction or dynamic scattering the liquid crystal selectively assuming a light-scattering state
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
- G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
- G02F1/137—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells characterised by the electro-optical or magneto-optical effect, e.g. field-induced phase transition, orientation effect, guest-host interaction or dynamic scattering
- G02F1/13775—Polymer-stabilized liquid crystal layers
- G02F2001/133726—
- G02F2001/133742—
- G02F2001/13756—
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F2201/00—Constructional arrangements not provided for in groups G02F1/00 - G02F7/00
- G02F2201/44—Arrangements combining different electro-active layers, e.g. electrochromic, liquid crystal or electroluminescent layers
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F2202/00—Materials and properties
- G02F2202/02—Materials and properties organic material
- G02F2202/022—Materials and properties organic material polymeric
- G02F2202/023—Materials and properties organic material polymeric curable
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F2202/00—Materials and properties
- G02F2202/04—Materials and properties dye
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F2203/00—Function characteristic
- G02F2203/01—Function characteristic transmissive
Definitions
- an LCDmay be realized as a transparent display device using an edge-type backlight, but a transparent display device using the LCD exhibits a very low transmittance ratio. Also, the transparent display device using the LCD has a disadvantage in that transparency is reduced by a polarizer used for realizing black and outside visibility is negatively affected as well.
- a transparent display device using an OLEDhas higher power consumption than the transparent display device using an LCD.
- a transparent display devicehas difficulty in expressing true black, but does not have a problem with a contrast ratio in a dark environment. However, it has a disadvantage of reduction in a contrast ratio in a normal environment with light.
- a device using the polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) or polymer networked liquid crystal (PNLC)can scatter or transmit light without a polarizer, and, thus, can be used as a light controlling apparatus of a transparent display device.
- the present inventionis directed to a light controlling apparatus and display device including the same, which substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
- Another object of the present inventionis to provide a light controlling apparatus including both a network and a wall within a liquid crystal unit.
- yet another object of the present inventionis to provide a light controlling apparatus including a wall and a network each having two kinds of polymers using two or more different monomers.
- Still another object of the present inventionis to provide a light controlling apparatus having a light shielding mode in which a color is displayed by light shielding or scattering light incident from the outside or a background of the device is invisible.
- Still another object of the present inventionis to improve a shielding rate of the light controlling apparatus by using the wall in the liquid crystal unit to prevent coloring members from being tilted to a specific region and thus prevent a light leakage caused by coloring members distributed in a non-uniform manner within the liquid crystal unit.
- Still another object of the present inventionis to provide a light controlling apparatus that can be applied to a flexible display device.
- a light controlling apparatuscomprising: a first electrode unit and a second electrode unit facing each other; a liquid crystal unit between the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit, the liquid crystal unit including: a liquid crystal; a network having a first polymer polymerized from a first monomer having a similar shape as the liquid crystal and a second polymer polymerized from a second monomer having a shape different from the first monomer; and a wall having the first polymer and the second polymer.
- the light controlling apparatusfurther comprises a spacer on at least one among the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit.
- the first monomer and the second monomerinclude UV-hardened monomers.
- UV wavelengths used for the UV-hardened monomersinclude same wavelength range.
- the first monomerincludes a RM (reactive mesogen)-based monomer.
- the second monomerincludes a Bisphenol A Dimethacrylate-based monomer.
- the first monomerassists in vertical alignment of the liquid crystal and the second monomer assists in random alignment of the liquid crystal.
- each of the first electrode unit and the second electrode unitincludes a common electrode.
- each of the first electrode unit and the second electrode unitis configured to apply a vertical electric field to the liquid crystal unit.
- the light controlling apparatusexhibits a transparent mode with the liquid crystal in a homeotropic state when a voltage is not applied, and wherein the light controlling apparatus exhibits a light shielding mode with the liquid crystal in a random state when a voltage is applied.
- the liquid crystalincludes one among a positive type liquid crystal or a DFLC (dual frequency liquid crystal)
- at least one among the first electrode unit and the second electrode unitincludes a plurality of patterned electrodes.
- the liquid crystalincludes one among a positive type liquid crystal or a DFLC (dual frequency liquid crystal)
- at least one among the first electrode unit and the second electrode unitincludes a plurality of patterned electrodes.
- the light controlling apparatusexhibits a transparent mode with the liquid crystal in a homeotropic state when a voltage is not applied, and wherein the light controlling apparatus exhibits a light shielding mode with the liquid crystal in a random state when a voltage is applied.
- the liquid crystalincludes one among a positive type liquid crystal or a DFLC
- at least one among the first electrode unit and the second electrode unitincludes a plurality of patterned electrodes and a common electrode.
- a horizontal electric fieldis applied to the patterned electrode and the common electrode.
- the light controlling apparatusexhibits a transparent mode with the liquid crystal in a homeotropic state when a voltage is not applied, and wherein the light controlling apparatus exhibits a light shielding mode with the liquid crystal in a random state when a voltage is applied.
- the light controlling apparatusfurther comprises an alignment unit configured to align the liquid crystal in a homeotropic state.
- the alignment unitis on or under the liquid crystal unit.
- a method of fabricating a light controlling apparatuscomprising: laminating a first electrode unit to a second electrode unit; forming a liquid crystal unit between the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit, the liquid crystal unit including a mixed liquid crystal having a first monomer, a second monomer and a liquid crystal; forming a wall corresponding to a pattern of a mask on the first electrode unit or on the second electrode unit by polymerizing the first monomer and the second monomer; and forming a network by polymerizing the first monomer and the second monomer with a lower irradiation energy than the forming the wall.
- the methodfurther comprises disposing of a spacer on at least one among the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit.
- the first monomer and the second monomerare polymerized with a light having the same wavelength range.
- each of the forming of the wall and the forming of the networkincludes polymerizing the first monomer and the second monomer by irradiation with UV rays.
- the first monomerincludes a RM (reactive mesogen)-based monomer.
- the second monomerincludes a Bisphenol A Dimethacrylate-based monomer.
- a mixed liquid crystalin which a liquid crystal, a first monomer and a second monomer are present, wherein the first monomer has a similar shape as the liquid crystal and the second monomer has a shape different from the first monomer, and wherein the first monomer and the second monomer are configured to have both a network and a wall in a light controlling apparatus.
- the light controlling apparatusexhibits a transparent mode with the liquid crystal in a homeotropic state when a voltage is not applied, and wherein the light controlling apparatus exhibits a light shielding mode with the liquid crystal in a random state when a voltage is applied.
- the first monomer and the second monomerare cured by UV irradiation at the same wavelength range.
- the first monomerincludes an RM (reactive mesogen)-based monomer.
- the second monomerincludes a Bisphenol A Dimethacrylate-based monomer.
- the first monomer and the second monomerare polymerized by irradiation with UV rays.
- the liquid crystalincludes one among a positive liquid crystal, a negative liquid crystal or a DFLC (dual frequency liquid crystal).
- the display panelis an OLED panel.
- the light controlling apparatusis attached to the front surface of the display panel.
- the light controlling apparatusis attached to the rear surface of the display panel.
- the present inventioncan provide a light controlling apparatus that can exhibit in a transparent mode by transmitting light incident from the outside without applying a voltage.
- a liquid crystal of the light controlling apparatus of the present inventionhas a state that transmits light incident from the outside in an initial state, the transparent mode can be realized in the initial state. Therefore, it is possible to reduce power consumption.
- the present inventioncan provide the light controlling apparatus that can exhibit a light shielding mode in which a background of the light controlling apparatus is invisible by arranging a coloring member formed of a dye having a color so as to express black or other colors than black.
- the present inventioncan provide the light controlling apparatus including both of a network and a wall in a liquid crystal unit using two or more different monomers.
- the present inventioncan improve an effect of scattering light incident from the outside since a liquid crystal can have a state in a more random pattern due to the network positioned in the liquid crystal unit.
- the present inventioncan improve a shielding rate of the light controlling apparatus by using the wall in the liquid crystal unit to suppress coloring members from being tilted to a specific region and thus to suppress a light leakage caused by coloring members distributed in a non-uniform manner within the liquid crystal unit.
- the present inventioncan be applied to a flexible display device since a shock applied from the outside can be absorbed due to the wall positioned within a liquid crystal unit.
- the present inventionreduces the difference in refractive index by disposing a refractive index matching layer capable of compensating for a difference in refractive index between components in the light controlling apparatus.
- the transmittance ratiois improved.
- the present inventioncan increase the driving reliability by preventing a short occurring within the light controlling apparatus through the wall or the refractive index matching layer.
- the present inventioncan improve the transmittance ratio of the light controlling apparatus since it can have a homeotropic state in which liquid crystals are perpendicular to an electrode unit.
- FIG. 1is a cross-sectional view illustrating a transparent mode of a light controlling apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view of a light controlling apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 6is a cross-sectional view of a light controlling apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of an electrode unit illustrated in FIG. 5 .
- FIG. 7is a cross-sectional view of a light controlling apparatus according to yet another exemplary embodiment of an electrode unit illustrated in FIG. 5 .
- FIG. 8is a cross-sectional view of a light controlling apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 10 a to FIG. 10 fare schematic sequence diagrams of a fabricating process of a light controlling apparatus according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
- FIG. 11 ais a schematic plan view provided for describing a display device to which a light controlling apparatus is applied according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 11 c and FIG. 11 dare cross-sectional views of display devices according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
- FIG. 12 bis a cross-sectional view of the display device taken along a line XII-XII′ of FIG. 12 a.
- FIG. 12 cis a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- first”, “second”, and the likeare used for describing various components, these components are not confined by these terms. These terms are merely used for distinguishing one component from the other components. Therefore, a first component to be mentioned below may be a second component in a technical concept of the present invention.
- At least oneshould be understood as including all possible combinations which can be suggested from one or more relevant items.
- the meaning of “at least one among a first item, a second item, and a third item”may be each one among the first item, the second item, or the third item and also be all possible combinations which can be suggested from two or more of the first item, the second item, and the third item.
- Polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) and polymer networked liquid crystal (PNLC) used as a light controlling apparatus of a transparent display devicehave a different mixing ratio of monomers and a liquid crystal.
- the PDLChas a higher percentage of monomers than the PNLC. Therefore, the PDLC realizes an initial light shielding mode in which an incident light is scattered by a randomly aligned liquid crystal and polymerized monomers in an initial state where a voltage is not applied.
- the PDLCrealizes a transparent mode by transmitting an incident light without scattering when voltage is applied and thus the liquid crystal is vertically aligned. If the PDLC is used as a light controlling apparatus of a transparent display device, voltage needs to be continuously applied for realizing the transparent mode in a standby.
- the inventors of the present inventionrecognized the above-described problems, and invented a light controlling apparatus having a new structure in which a wall and a network are formed so as to realize a transparent mode and a light shielding mode.
- FIG. 1is a cross-sectional view illustrating a transparent mode of a light controlling apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view illustrating a light shielding mode of the light controlling apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 .
- a light controlling apparatus 100includes an electrode unit 110 , a liquid crystal unit 120 , an alignment unit 130 , a wall 140 , a network 150 , and a spacer.
- the electrode unit 110includes a first electrode unit 111 and a second electrode unit 112 provided to face each other, and the liquid crystal unit 120 is positioned between the first electrode unit 111 and the second electrode unit 112 .
- the first electrode unit 111includes a substrate 111 a formed of a transparent material and an electrode 111 b on the substrate 111 a .
- the first electrode unit 111 and the second electrode unit 112may have the same configuration, and the second electrode unit 112 also includes a substrate 112 a and an electrode 112 b in the same manner as the first electrode unit 111 .
- the electrode 111 b or 112 bis disposed on one surface of the substrate 111 a or 112 a , respectively, and has an electrode shape without a pattern.
- the electrodes 111 b and 112 bmay be formed of transparent conductive materials which have conductivity and also transmit external light.
- the electrodes 111 b and 112 bmay be formed of materials at least one among silver oxide (e.g.; AgO or Ag 2 O or Ag 2 O 3 ), aluminum oxide (e.g.; Al 2 O 3 ), tungsten oxide (e.g.; WO 2 or WO 3 or W 2 O 3 ), magnesium oxide (e.g.; MgO), molybdenum oxide (e.g.; MoO 3 ), zinc oxide (e.g.; ZnO), tin oxide (e.g.; SnO 2 ), indium oxide (e.g.; In 2 O 3 ), chromium oxide (e.g.; CrO 3 or Cr 2 O 3 ), antimony oxide (e.g.; Sb 2 O 3 or Sb 2 O 5 ), titanium oxide (e.g.; TiO 2 ), nickel oxide (e.g.; NiO), copper oxide (e.g.; CuO or Cu 2 O), vanadium oxide (e.g.; V 2 O 3 or V 2 O
- the alignment unit 130is a member configured to align a liquid crystal 120 a in the liquid crystal unit 120 in a homeotropic state as an initial state.
- the homeotropic staterefers to a state where the liquid crystal 120 a is perpendicularly aligned to the electrode unit 110 . That is, the homeotropic state refers to a state where a long axis 120 L of the liquid crystal 120 a is perpendicularly aligned to the electrode unit 110 and a short axis 120 S is horizontally aligned to the electrode unit 110 .
- the alignment unit 130may be positioned on or under the liquid crystal unit 120 .
- the alignment unit 130includes a first alignment member 131 between the first electrode unit 111 and light the liquid crystal unit 120 and a second alignment member 132 between the second electrode unit 112 and the liquid crystal unit 120 .
- the first alignment member 131 and the second alignment member 132 constituting the alignment unit 130are formed of vertical alignment materials.
- the alignment unit 130may be formed of at least one among polyimide-based materials and phosphatidylcholine (PPC)-based materials, but is not limited thereto.
- the alignment unit 130may be formed by mixing a vertical alignment material such as HTAB (hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide) or CTAB (cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide) in a solvent such as isopropyl alcohol (IPA). Then, the alignment unit 130 can be formed by coating the mixture on the first electrode unit 111 and the second electrode unit 112 and then evaporating the solvent.
- a vertical alignment materialsuch as HTAB (hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide) or CTAB (cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide)
- IPAisopropyl alcohol
- FIG. 1illustrates that the alignment unit 130 is positioned on and under the liquid crystal unit 120
- the alignment unit 130may be positioned either on or under the liquid crystal unit 120 .
- the liquid crystal unit 120is positioned between the first electrode unit 111 and the second electrode unit 112 . To be specific, referring to FIG. 1 , the liquid crystal unit 120 is disposed between the first alignment member 131 and the second alignment member 132 .
- the liquid crystal unit 120includes the liquid crystal 120 a , the wall 140 and the network 150 .
- the liquid crystal 120 amay be at least one among a negative type liquid crystal or a DFLC (dual frequency liquid crystal). Driving methods of the light controlling apparatus 100 depending on a kind of the liquid crystal 120 a will be described later.
- monomers for forming a first polymer 141 and a second polymer 142may remain in the liquid crystal unit 120 . Details thereof will be described together with the wall 140 .
- the wall 140is disposed in the light controlling apparatus 100 .
- the wall 140is between the first electrode unit 111 and the second electrode unit 112 .
- a position of the wall 140 within the light controlling apparatus 100can be freely changed.
- the wall 140includes the first polymer 141 and the second polymer 142 .
- the first polymer 141 and the second polymer 142are formed of different monomers formed of transparent materials that transmit light.
- a monomer for forming the first polymer 141is an RM (Reactive Mesogen)-based UV hardening monomer
- a monomer for forming the second polymer 142is a Bisphenol A Dimethacrylate-based UV hardening monomer.
- the first polymer 141 and the second polymer 142may be formed by polymerizing different monomers by a UV hardening process.
- the monomers for forming the first polymer 141 and the second polymer 142may be cured at a wavelength range of 350 to 380 nm.
- a wavelength range of light for hardening the monomers for forming the first polymer 141 and the second polymer 142may be determined depending on materials for forming the substrates 111 a and 112 a .
- the first polymer 141is a polymer polymerized from a first monomer
- the second polymer 142is a polymer polymerized from a second monomer.
- the first polymer 141is a polymer having a similar shape with the liquid crystal 120 a , and may be formed of the first monomer having a similar shape with the liquid crystal 120 a .
- the first polymeris polymerized. Since the first polymer 141 polymerized from the first monomer has the same shape as the liquid crystal 120 a , it can assist the alignment member 130 in aligning the liquid crystal 120 a in a homeotropic state during a UV hardening process. That is, since the first monomer and the first polymer 141 polymerized from the first monomer has the same shape as the liquid crystal 120 a , it can improve vertical alignment of the liquid crystal 120 a during a UV hardening process.
- the second polymer 142is a polymer having a different shape from the liquid crystal 120 a , and may be formed of the second monomer having a different shape from the liquid crystal 120 a .
- the second polymer 142is a polymer having a random shape, and may be formed of the second monomer having various shapes. Since the second polymer 142 has a random shape, it can assist the liquid crystal 120 a not to be aligned in one direction but to be aligned in a random manner in a light shielding mode of the light controlling apparatus 100 . That is, the second polymer 142 polymerized from the second monomer has various shapes, the liquid crystal 120 a can be aligned in various directions during a light shielding mode of the light controlling apparatus 100 . Thus, scattering of light caused by the liquid crystal 120 a may be increased.
- the wall 140 including the first polymer 141 and the second polymer 142 formed of different monomerscan protect the inside of the liquid crystal unit 120 against an external force. Therefore, the light controlling apparatus 100 including the above-described wall 140 can be applied to a flexible transparent display device. Further, the wall 140 can maintain a cell gap h of the liquid crystal unit 120 and also prevent a short caused by a contact between the first electrode unit 111 and the second electrode unit 112 when an external force is applied to the light controlling apparatus 100 . Furthermore, the wall 140 can block the inside of the liquid crystal unit 120 by dividing an internal space of the light controlling apparatus 100 . Also, the liquid crystal unit 120 may be formed by forming the liquid crystal 120 a in each space defined by the wall.
- a wavelength range of light for curing the first monomer for forming the first polymer 141is the same as a wavelength range of light for curing the second monomer for forming the second monomer 142 .
- the first polymer 141 and the second polymer 142may have substantially the same percentage in the wall 140 . That is, since the first monomer for forming the first polymer and the second monomer for forming the second monomer 142 reacts with light in the same wavelength range, an amount of the first polymer 141 and an amount of the second polymer 142 cured in the same process may be substantially the same. Thus, the first polymer 141 and the second polymer 142 may have substantially the same percentage in the wall 140 .
- the monomers for forming the first polymer 141 and the second polymer 142may remain in the wall 140 and the liquid crystal unit 120 . If the monomers remain in a final product, the monomers become a polymer as time goes on, and, thus, the properties of the light controlling apparatus 100 may be changed. Therefore, the monomers may be cured with a polymer. However, the monomers for forming the first polymer 141 and the second polymer 142 may remain in the wall 140 and the liquid crystal unit 120 due to various factors in a fabricating process.
- the network 150is disposed in the light controlling apparatus 100 .
- the network 150is disposed between the first electrode unit 111 and the second electrode 112 .
- a position of the network 150 in the light controlling apparatus 100can be freely changed.
- the network 150is distributed in a net shape in the liquid crystal unit 120 . Therefore, when an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal unit 120 and a state of the liquid crystal 120 a in the liquid crystal unit 120 is changed, the liquid crystal 120 a around the network 150 is changed with a random tilt angle rather than being in a planar state.
- the planar staterefers to a state where the short axis 120 S of the liquid crystal 120 a is aligned perpendicularly to the electrode unit 110 and the long axis 120 L is aligned horizontally to the electrode unit 110 .
- the change of a state of the liquid crystal 120 a caused by application of an electric field to the liquid crystal unit 120will be described later with reference to FIG. 2 .
- the network 150includes two polymers like the above-described wall 140 .
- the two polymersmay be formed of the same materials as the first polymer 141 and the second polymer 142 , respectively. That is, the two polymers having the network 150 are formed of different monomers formed of transparent materials that transmit light.
- a monomer for forming the first polymer 141is an RM (Reactive Mesogen)-based UV hardening monomer
- a monomer for forming the second polymer 142is a Bisphenol A Dimethacrylate-based UV curable monomer.
- an RM (Reactive Mesogen)-based monomermay be a material having a rod-like liquid crystalline state.
- An end group of an RM (Reactive Mesogen)-based monomercan be polymerized with ultraviolet (UV) rays or heat.
- An end group which can be polymerized with UVmay be at least one among acrylate, ethylene, acetylene, and styrene, but is not limited thereto.
- an end group which can be polymerized with heatmay be at least one among oxetane or epoxy, but is not limited thereto.
- the first polymer 141 of the two polymers included in the network 150can assist alignment of the liquid crystal 120 a in a homeotropic state during a UV hardening process.
- the second polymer 142can assist the liquid crystal 120 a not to be aligned in a specific direction but to be aligned in a random manner while the light controlling apparatus 100 is driven.
- a wavelength range of light for hardening the monomer for forming the first polymer 141is the same as a wavelength range of light for hardening the monomer for forming the second monomer 142 .
- the first polymer 141 and the second polymer 142may have substantially the same percentage in the network 150 .
- the monomers for forming the first polymer 141 and the second polymer 142may remain in the network 150 in the same manner as the wall 140 .
- the spacermay be positioned between the first electrode unit 111 and the second electrode unit 112 .
- the spacermay be disposed on the first electrode unit 111 , the second electrode unit 112 or both the first electrode unit 111 and the second electrode unit 112 .
- the spacermay have a ball shape or an elongated shape, but a shape of the spacer is not limited thereto.
- the spaceris dispersed in a liquid crystal unit and determines the cell gap h of the liquid crystal unit 120 and also supports the cell gap h.
- the spacermay be formed of a silica (SiO 2 )-based material.
- the liquid crystal 120 a for forming the liquid crystal unit 120is injected between the first electrode unit 111 and the second electrode unit 112 .
- the spaceris positioned between the first electrode unit 111 and the second electrode unit 112 in order to maintain the cell gap.
- the first electrode unit 111 and the second electrode unit 112are laminated or assembled to each other.
- the cell gap h of the light controlling apparatus 100is determined and a height of the above-described wall 140 is also determined depending on a size (height) and the number of the spacers.
- the liquid crystal 120 a in the liquid crystal unit 120is already aligned in a homeotropic state by the alignment unit 130 , and the first polymers 141 in the wall 140 and the network 150 . Therefore, in the initial state, a light incident from the outside passes through the liquid crystal unit 120 . Thus, the light controlling apparatus 100 exhibits a transparent mode.
- the liquid crystal 120 a in the liquid crystal unit 120is cured in a homeotropic state by the first polymers 141 in the wall 140 and the network 150 , and the alignment unit 130 , the liquid crystal 120 a in the liquid crystal unit 120 can maintain the homeotropic state in the initial state. Therefore, since the light controlling apparatus 100 has a state that transmits light incident from the outside in the initial state, the transparent mode can be realized in the initial state. Therefore, it is possible to reduce power consumption of the light controlling apparatus 100 .
- the liquid crystal 120 a in light the liquid crystal unit 120is changed to be aligned from the homeotropic state to a random state including the planar state.
- the random state including the planar staterefers to a state in which if an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal unit 120 and a state of the liquid crystal 120 a is changed, most of the liquid crystals 120 a are changed to the planar state.
- the liquid crystal 120 a adjacent to the network 150has a state having a random tilt angle by the polymers in the network 150 . Further, the random tilt angle means an angle which is not previously determined but randomly determined.
- the liquid crystal 120 ais a DFLC of which a state is converted using a frequency
- voltages having predetermined frequenciesare applied to the first electrode unit 111 and the second electrode unit 112 .
- the liquid crystal 120 acan be changed to be aligned from the homeotropic state to the random state including the planar state.
- the frequencyis not limited thereto.
- the wall 140also includes the second polymer 142 , the liquid crystal 120 a adjacent to the wall 140 may be aligned in a random manner with a random tilt angle.
- the wall 140has a much greater surface area than the network 150 .
- the liquid crystal 120 a adjacent to the wall 140may be less tilted than the liquid crystal 120 a adjacent to the network 150 .
- the liquid crystal unit 120is a DFLC
- the liquid crystal 120 a in the liquid crystal unit 120is changed from the random state to the homeotropic state, and, thus, the light controlling apparatus 100 is converted into the transparent mode.
- the light controlling apparatus 100can maintain the transparent mode in an initial state where voltages are not applied to the first electrode unit 111 and the second electrode unit 112 . Also, the light controlling apparatus 100 can maintain the light shielding mode if voltages are applied to the first electrode unit 111 and the second electrode unit 112 . Therefore, since the light controlling apparatus 100 can maintain the transparent mode in an initial state and also maintain the light shielding mode if necessary, power consumption of the light controlling apparatus 100 can be reduced. Thus, the light controlling apparatus 100 can be used as a glass window or a smart window in public facilities.
- FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view of a light controlling apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- descriptions about components identical or corresponding to those of the above-described exemplary embodimentwill be omitted.
- a light controlling apparatus 200 according to the present exemplary embodimentwill be described.
- the light controlling apparatus 200includes an electrode unit 210 , a liquid crystal unit 220 , an alignment unit 230 , a wall 240 , a network 250 , a spacer, and a coloring member 270 .
- the electrode unit 210 , the liquid crystal unit 220 , the alignment unit 230 , the wall 240 , the network 250 , and the spacer constituting the light controlling apparatus 200 of the present exemplary embodimentare respectively identical to the electrode unit 110 , the liquid crystal unit 120 , the alignment unit 130 , the wall 140 , the network 150 , and the spacer constituting the light controlling apparatus 100 described above with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 . Therefore, redundant descriptions on the components described above with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 will be omitted.
- the light controlling apparatus 200further includes the coloring member 270 in the liquid crystal unit 220 .
- the coloring member 270is formed of a black-based dye and the light controlling apparatus 200 is driven in a light shielding mode, light scattered by a liquid crystal 220 a in the liquid crystal unit 220 and the network 250 is finally absorbed by the coloring member 270 .
- the light controlling apparatus 200can exhibits the light shielding mode showing black and can maintain a black state.
- the light controlling apparatus 200needs to exhibit the light shielding mode which displays black while the transparent display panel is driven in order to provide a high image visibility to a user.
- the coloring member 270may have a black color.
- the light controlling apparatus 200can display a color of the coloring member 270 in the light shielding mode.
- the light controlling apparatus 200 according to the present exemplary embodimentcan display various colors instead of black-based colors and also shield a background during the light shielding mode. Therefore, since the light controlling apparatus 200 according to the present exemplary embodiment can provide various colors during the light shielding mode, it is possible to provide an aesthetic effect to the user. For example, if the light controlling apparatus 200 is used in a public place, the light controlling apparatus 200 can be applied to a smart window or a public window in need of a transparent mode and a light shielding mode. Further, the light controlling apparatus 200 can display various colors depending on time or place and also shield light.
- the coloring member 270is affected by a direction of the liquid crystal 220 a and its alignment is changed. That is, since the coloring member 270 in an initial state is perpendicularly to the first electrode unit 211 or the second electrode unit 212 according to the liquid crystal 220 a of the liquid crystal unit 220 , as a long axis 270 L of the coloring member 270 is longer and a short axis 270 S thereof is shorter, a high transmittance ratio can be maintained during a transparent mode. Also, a high light shielding ratio can be maintained during alight shielding mode.
- the coloring member 270is also aligned in a homeotropic state where the coloring member 270 is perpendicular to the first electrode unit 211 or the second electrode unit 212 . Therefore, light reaches the short axis 270 S having a smaller length than the long axis 270 L of the coloring member 270 in the initial state where an electric field is not applied. Thus, an amount of light absorbed by the liquid crystal unit 220 is very small and most of the light is transmitted through the liquid crystal unit 220 . Therefore, the light controlling apparatus 200 can exhibit a transparent mode in which a transparent mode is maintained.
- the liquid crystal 220 a in the liquid crystal unit 220transmits light. At this time, the light reaches a very small area of the coloring member 270 .
- the light controlling apparatus 200can maintain a transparent mode.
- the coloring member 270lies according to a lying direction of the adjacent liquid crystal 220 a (i.e., alignment direction of the liquid crystal 220 a ) affected by an electric field.
- An alignment direction of the coloring member 270is changed since the liquid crystal 220 a is in a liquid state and the coloring member 270 is in a solid state or a state close to a solid.
- alignment of the solid coloring member 270is changed according to a flowing direction of the liquid (i.e., a direction in which a state of the liquid crystal 220 a is changed). That is, in a state where the electric field illustrated in FIG.
- the liquid crystal 220 ais aligned in a random state including a planar state having a random tilt angle.
- the coloring member 270may be affected by the adjacent liquid crystal 220 a and may be aligned in a planar state or may be aligned in a random manner.
- the liquid crystal 220 alies in an X-direction
- the adjacent coloring member 270lies in the X-direction along the liquid crystal 220 a
- the long axis 270 L of the coloring member 270is aligned in parallel with the first and second electrode units 211 and 212 .
- the liquid crystal 220 alies in a Y-direction
- the adjacent coloring member 270lies in the Y-direction along the liquid crystal 220 a
- the long axis 270 L of the coloring member 270is aligned in parallel with the first and second electrode units 211 and 212 .
- the coloring member 270 around the network 250may be aligned in a random manner with a random tilt angle in the same manner as the liquid crystal 220 a around the network 250 .
- the coloring member 270 around the network 250is aligned in a random manner with a random tilt angle rather than being aligned in a planar state. Therefore, a light scattered by the liquid crystal 220 a and the network 250 reaches the long axis 270 L having a greater length than the short axis 270 S of the coloring member 270 . At this time, the light reaches a very large area of the coloring member 270 . Thus, most of the light is absorbed by the coloring member 270 . Therefore, the light controlling apparatus 200 can be in a light shielding mode in which a light shielding mode is maintained while displaying color held in the coloring member 270 .
- the wall 240is formed in the liquid crystal unit 220 , it is possible to prevent the concentration of the inside of the liquid crystal unit 220 , i.e., the coloring member 270 mixed together with the liquid crystal 220 a , in a specific region.
- the inside of the liquid crystal unit 220is divided into several sections (or regions) by the wall 240 .
- the coloring member 270 positioned in each sectioncannot be moved to another section. If the wall 240 is not present in the liquid crystal unit 220 , the coloring member 270 may be moved in the liquid crystal unit 270 depending on an external pressure or a implementation state of the light controlling apparatus 200 .
- the light controlling apparatus 200in a state where the coloring member 270 is not uniformly distributed in the entire liquid crystal unit 220 , if the light controlling apparatus 200 exhibits a light shielding mode, a light leakage may occur at some regions.
- the light controlling apparatus 200 of the present exemplary embodimenthaving a structure in which the wall 240 is disposed in the liquid crystal unit 220 and the coloring member 270 is positioned in a section formed by the wall 240 , movement of the coloring member 280 is very limited.
- the light controlling apparatus 200can exhibit a light shielding mode in an overall uniform manner. Thus, in the light shielding mode of the light controlling apparatus 200 , the light shielding ratio can be increased.
- a weight ratio of the coloring member 270can be determined depending on a kind of a display device to which the light controlling apparatus 200 is applied. For example, if the light controlling apparatus 200 is a transparent display device placed indoors, it is important that the light controlling apparatus 200 has a high transmittance ratio in a transparent mode. Therefore, preferably, the coloring member 270 may have a relatively low weight ratio. Further, if the light controlling apparatus 200 is a transparent display device placed outdoors, it is important that the light controlling apparatus 200 has a high shielding ratio in alight shielding mode. Therefore, preferably, the coloring member 270 may have a relatively high weight ratio. In some exemplary embodiments, the coloring member 270 may have a weight ratio of 1 wt %, but is not limited thereto.
- FIG. 4is a cross-sectional view of a light controlling apparatus according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- descriptions on components identical or corresponding to those of the above-described exemplary embodimentswill be omitted.
- a light controlling apparatus according to the present exemplary embodimentwill be described.
- alight controlling apparatus 300includes an electrode unit 310 , a liquid crystal unit 320 , an alignment unit 330 , a wall 340 , a network 350 , a spacer, a coloring member 370 , and a refractive index matching layer 380 .
- the electrode unit 310 , the liquid crystal unit 320 , the alignment unit 330 , the wall 340 , the network 350 , and the spacer constituting the light controlling apparatus 300 of the present exemplary embodimentare respectively identical to the electrode unit 110 , the liquid crystal unit 120 , the alignment unit 130 , the wall 140 , the network 150 , and the spacer constituting the light controlling apparatus 100 described above with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 .
- the coloring member 370 constituting the light controlling apparatus 300is identical to the coloring member 270 described above with reference to FIG. 3 . Therefore, redundant descriptions about the components described above with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 will be omitted.
- the light controlling apparatus 300further includes the refractive index matching layer 380 .
- the refractive index matching layer 380is positioned in the electrode unit 310 .
- the refractive index matching layer 380is positioned between a substrate 311 a and an electrode 311 b in a first electrode unit 311 and between a substrate 312 a and an electrode 312 b in a second electrode unit 312 .
- the refractive index matching layer 380may be positioned between the electrode unit 310 and the alignment unit 330 .
- the refractive index matching layer 380may be positioned between the electrode 311 b constituting the first electrode unit 311 and a first alignment member 331 constituting the alignment unit 330 .
- the refractive index matching layer 380may be positioned between the electrode 312 b constituting the second electrode unit 312 and a second alignment member 332 constituting the alignment unit 330 .
- the refractive index matching layer 380may be positioned between the alignment unit 330 and the liquid crystal unit 320 .
- the refractive index matching layer 380may be positioned between the liquid crystal unit 320 and the first alignment member 331 and/or between the liquid crystal unit 320 and the second alignment member 332 .
- the refractive index matching layer 380is positioned between the components having a difference in refractive index among the components constituting the light controlling apparatus 300 , so that light incident from the outside can pass through the inside of the light controlling apparatus 300 without having much loss possible.
- the refractive index matching layer 380may be formed of at least one among a polymer, an OCA (optical clear adhesive) as one among optical transparent adhesives, and an organic compound adhesive such as a thermally or UV curable organic polymer compound, and has a refractive index of 1.3 to 1.9.
- the first electrode unit 311 and the second electrode unit 312 constituting the light controlling apparatus 300 of the present inventionmay have a refractive index in the range of 1.6 to 1.8.
- a liquid crystal 320 a in the liquid crystal unit 320may have a refractive index in the range of 1.3 to 1.6.
- the substrates 311 a and 312 amay have a refractive index of about 1.6, and the substrates 311 b and 312 b may have a refractive index of about 1.8.
- the alignment unit 330may be configured to be identical in a refractive index to the liquid crystal 320 a in the liquid crystal unit 320 .
- each component constituting the light controlling apparatus 300may have a different refractive index. If the refractive index matching layer 380 is adapted, a difference in refractive index can be compensated. That is, the refractive index matching layer 380 offsets a difference in refractive index within the first electrode unit 311 and a difference in refractive index within the second electrode unit 312 . Thus, light incident from the outside can pass through the inside of the light controlling apparatus 300 without having much loss.
- an improved transmittance ratiocan be provided to the user. Further, while the light controlling apparatus 300 maintains a shielding state in a light shielding mode, an improved shielding ratio can be provided to the user.
- the light controlling apparatus 300exhibits a transparent mode.
- the light controlling apparatus 300when light passing through the liquid crystal unit 320 and the alignment unit 330 passes through the second electrode unit 312 , the light can be scattered again in a direction to the liquid crystal unit 320 due to a difference in refractive index between the electrode 312 b and the substrate 312 a .
- the light controlling apparatus 300if the light controlling apparatus 300 is in a transparent mode, light is scattered due to a difference in refractive index between components. Also, a part of the light cannot pass through the light controlling apparatus 300 . Thus, the transmittance ratio of the light controlling apparatus 300 may be decreased.
- the refractive index matching layer 380is disposed in the light controlling apparatus 300 in consideration of a difference in refractive index between the components, when a light passes through the light controlling apparatus 300 while the light controlling apparatus 300 exhibits a transparent mode, the light is not scattered. That is, differences in refractive index between the substrates 311 a and 312 a and the electrodes 311 b and 312 b , a difference in refractive index between the electrode unit 310 and the alignment unit 330 , and a difference in refractive index between the liquid crystal unit 320 and the alignment unit 330 can be reduced by the refractive index matching layer 380 . Therefore, while the light controlling apparatus 300 exhibits a transparent mode, light incident from the outside can pass through the inside of the light controlling apparatus 300 without having much loss. Thus, a high transmittance ratio can be provided to the user.
- a light scattering ratio and a light shielding ratiomay be decreased.
- the refractive index matching layer 380is disposed in the light controlling apparatus 300 in consideration of a difference in refractive index between the components, while the light controlling apparatus 300 exhibits a light shielding mode, a scattered light is moved in a direction to the liquid crystal unit 320 without having much loss. Also, most of the light reaches the coloring member 370 . Thus, a high light shielding ratio can be provided to the user.
- the refractive index matching layer 380may be formed of at least one among a polymer, an OCA (optical clear adhesive) as one among optical transparent adhesives, and an organic compound adhesive such as a thermally or UV curable organic polymer compound, it is possible to prevent a short which may occur in the light controlling apparatus 300 .
- an impuritymay be mixed with the liquid crystal 320 a in the liquid crystal unit 320 during a fabricating process of the light controlling apparatus 300 .
- the impuritymay serve as a conductor that enables electric connection between the electrode 311 a of the first electrode unit 311 and the electrode 312 a of the second electrode unit 312 .
- a shortmay occur between the electrode 311 a and the electrode 312 a in the light controlling apparatus 300 .
- the refractive index matching layer 380since the refractive index matching layer 380 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is formed of the above-described material, it can serve as an insulator. Therefore, the refractive index matching layer 380 can prevent occurrence of a short in the light controlling apparatus 300 and thus can increase the driving reliability of the light controlling apparatus 300 .
- the refractive index matching layer 380can improve transmittance ratio and a light shielding ratio of the light controlling apparatus 300 and also increase the driving reliability of the light controlling apparatus 300 .
- the refractive index matching layermay not be adapted.
- FIG. 5is a cross-sectional view of a light controlling apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 6is a cross-sectional view of a light controlling apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of an electrode unit illustrated in FIG. 5 .
- descriptions on components identical or corresponding to those of the above-described exemplary embodimentswill be omitted.
- a light controlling apparatus according to the present exemplary embodimentwill be described.
- a light controlling apparatus 400includes an electrode unit 410 , a liquid crystal unit 420 , an alignment unit 430 , a wall 440 , a network 450 , and a spacer.
- the alignment unit 430 , the wall 440 , the network 450 , and the spacer constituting the light controlling apparatus 400 of the present exemplary embodimentare respectively identical to the alignment unit 130 , the wall 140 , the network 150 , and the spacer constituting the light controlling apparatus 100 described above with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 . Therefore, redundant descriptions on the components described above with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 2 will be omitted.
- the liquid crystal unit 420includes a liquid crystal 420 a .
- the liquid crystal 420 a constituting the liquid crystal unit 420may include one among a positive type liquid crystal or a DFLC.
- a driving method of the light controlling apparatus 400 depending on a kind of the liquid crystal 420 awill be described later.
- the electrode unit 410 constituting the light controlling apparatus 400includes a first electrode unit 411 and a second electrode unit 412 provided to face each other, and the liquid crystal unit 420 may be positioned between the first electrode unit 411 and the second electrode unit 412 .
- the first electrode unit 411includes a substrate 411 a formed of a transparent material and an electrode 411 b on the substrate 411 a .
- the electrode 411 bincludes a plurality of patterned electrodes.
- the second electrode unit 412also includes a substrate 412 a and an electrode 412 b in the same manner as the first electrode unit 411 .
- the electrode 412 bincludes a plurality of patterned electrodes.
- the electrodes 411 b and 412 bmay be formed to have a straight shape or a zigzag shape in a plane view.
- the zigzag shapemeans that at least one among the electrodes 411 b and 412 b includes a bending portion, and the zigzag shape may include at least one bending portion.
- the patterned electrodes 411 b and 412 b of the first and second electrode units 411 and 412are configured to apply a horizontal electric field to the liquid crystal 420 a in the liquid crystal unit 420 .
- the first and second electrode units 411 and 412include patterned electrodes 411 b and 412 b , when a horizontal electric field is applied from the first and second electrode units 411 and 412 , an electric field which can change a state of the liquid crystal 420 a is generated.
- the liquid crystal 420 acan be easily changed from a homeotropic state to a random state, as compared with a case where the patterned electrodes 411 b and 412 b are formed on one side only.
- Voltages applied to the patterned electrodes 411 b and 412 b adjacent to each othermay have different polarities. For example, if a positive (+) voltage is applied to any one among the patterned electrodes 411 b and 412 b , a negative ( ⁇ ) voltage may be applied to the other patterned electrode 411 b or 412 b adjacent thereto.
- the odd-number patterned electrodes 411 b and 412 bare applied with the same voltage as the odd-number patterned electrodes 411 b and 412 b
- the even-number patterned number patterned electrodes 411 b and 412 bare applied with the same voltage as the even-number patterned electrodes 411 b and 412 b . Therefore, a voltage difference is formed between a plurality of the patterned electrodes 411 b and 412 b adjacent to each other. Thus, a horizontal electric field may be applied to the patterned electrodes 411 b and 412 .
- the patterned electrodes 411 b and 412 b facing each othermay be configured to be applied with voltages having the same polarity.
- a difference in voltage applied to the pattern electrodes 411 b and 412 b adjacent to each other 5 V or moreis not limited thereto.
- the substrates 411 a and 412 aare respectively identical to the substrates 111 a and 112 a described above with reference to FIG. 1 .
- materials of the electrodes 411 b and 412 b constituting the first and second electrode units 411 and 412are identical to those of the electrodes 111 b and 112 b described above with reference to FIG. 1 .
- a patterned electrodemay be formed in only one among the first electrode unit 411 or the second electrode unit 412 .
- the first electrode unit 411may include a patterned electrode
- the second electrode unit 412may include a non-patterned electrode.
- the first electrode unit 411may include a non-patterned electrode
- the second electrode unit 412may include a patterned electrode.
- a driving method of an electrode unit including a patterned electrodeis the same as described above. Thus redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.
- the liquid crystal 420 a in the liquid crystal unit 420 of the light controlling apparatus 400is in a homeotropic state as an initial state regardless of whether the liquid crystal 420 a is a positive type liquid crystal or a DFLC.
- the light controlling apparatus 400exhibits a transparent mode in which a light incident from the outside is transmitted.
- the liquid crystal 420 a in the liquid crystal unit 420is already aligned in a homeotropic state by the alignment unit 430 and first polymers 441 included in the wall 440 and the network 450 . Therefore, in the initial state, a light incident from the outside passes through the liquid crystal unit 420 , and the light controlling apparatus 400 exhibits a transparent mode in which a background is visible.
- the liquid crystal 420 a in the liquid crystal unit 420is changed to be aligned from the homeotropic state to a random state including a planar state with a random tilt angle.
- each patterned electrode 411 b of the first electrode unit 411is configured to be applied with a voltage having a different polarity from the adjacent patterned electrode 411 b .
- each patterned electrode 412 b of the second electrode unit 412is configured to be applied with a voltage having a different polarity from the adjacent patterned electrode 412 b .
- a positive (+) voltageis applied to at least one patterned electrode
- a negative ( ⁇ ) voltagemay be applied to a patterned electrode adjacent to the patterned electrode.
- a difference in voltage applied to the adjacent patterned electrodesis 5 V or more, but is not limited thereto.
- the liquid crystal 420 a in the liquid crystal unit 420is a DFLC of which a state is converted using a frequency
- voltages having predetermined frequenciesare applied to the first electrode unit 411 and the second electrode unit 412 .
- the liquid crystal 420 acan be changed to be aligned from the homeotropic state to the random state including the planar state with a random tilt angle.
- the frequency of the voltagesis not limited thereto.
- the liquid crystal unit 420Accordingly, if light is incident from the outside to the liquid crystal unit 420 , since the liquid crystal 420 a in the liquid crystal unit 420 maintains a random state with a random tilt angle, the light is scattered within the liquid crystal unit 420 . As described above, since the network 450 is provided within the liquid crystal unit 420 , the light is more scattered randomly in the liquid crystal unit 420 . Through the above-described process, if the liquid crystal unit 420 exhibits the light shielding mode, an opaque milky color, for example, an opaque white- or gray-based color is displayed. Therefore, the light incident from the outside can be shielded.
- the first electrode unit 411 and the second electrode unit 412 constituting the electrode unit 410may further include common electrodes 411 c and 412 c and insulating layers 411 d and 412 d , respectively.
- the common electrode 411 cis positioned on the substrate 411 a
- the insulating layer 411 dis positioned on the common electrode 411 c
- the patterned electrodes 411 bare positioned on the insulating layer 411 d .
- the common electrode 411 cmay be formed on the entire region of the substrate 411 a or may be patterned as a unit of a specific region.
- the common electrode 411 cmay be disposed so as to overlap with the first electrodes 411 b of a plurality of patterned electrodes.
- the insulating layer 411 dmay be formed of an inorganic insulating material such as a silicon nitride or silicon oxide including SiNx, SiOx, etc., but is not necessarily limited thereto.
- the insulating layer 411 dmay be formed of an organic insulating material such as photo acryl or benzocyclobutene (BCB).
- the second electrode unit 412includes the substrate 412 a , the plurality of patterned electrodes 412 b , the common electrode 412 c , and the insulating layer 412 d , the common electrode 412 c is positioned under the substrate 412 a , the insulating layer 412 d is positioned under the common electrode 412 c , and the patterned electrodes 412 b are positioned under the insulating layer 412 d .
- the common electrode 412 cmay be formed on the entire region of the substrate 412 a or may be patterned as a unit of a specific region.
- the common electrode 412 cmay be disposed so as to overlap with the plurality of patterned electrodes 412 b .
- the insulating layer 412 d of the second electrode unit 412may be formed of the same material as the insulating material 411 d of the first electrode unit 411 .
- the liquid crystal 420 a in the liquid crystal unit 420 of the light controlling apparatus 400is in a homeotropic state as an initial state regardless of whether the liquid crystal 420 a is a positive type liquid crystal or a DFLC.
- the light controlling apparatus 400exhibits a transparent mode in which a light incident from the outside is transmitted.
- the liquid crystal 420 a in the liquid crystal unit 420is changed to be aligned from the homeotropic state to the random state including a planar state with a random tilt angle.
- each patterned electrode 411 b of the first electrode unit 411is configured to be applied with a voltage having a different polarity from the common electrode 411 c .
- each patterned electrode 412 b of the second electrode unit 412is configured to be applied with a voltage having a different polarity from the common electrode 412 c .
- a horizontal electric fieldis applied to the patterned electrode 411 b and the common electrode 411 c of the first electrode unit 411 and a horizontal electric field is applied to the patterned electrode 412 b of the common electrode 412 c of the second electrode unit 412 .
- a positive (+) voltageis applied to the patterned electrodes 411 b and 412 b
- a negative ( ⁇ ) voltagemay be applied to the common electrodes 411 c and 412 c .
- a voltage differenceis formed between the patterned electrode 411 b of the first electrode unit 411 and the common electrode 411 c .
- a horizontal electric fieldis applied to the liquid crystal unit 420
- a voltage differenceis formed between the patterned electrode 412 b of the second electrode unit 412 and the common electrode 412 c .
- a horizontal electric fieldis applied to the liquid crystal unit 420 .
- the patterned electrodes 411 b and 412 b facing each othermay be configured to be applied with voltages having the same polarity.
- the liquid crystal 420 a in the liquid crystal unit 420is a DFLC of which a state is converted using a frequency
- voltages having predetermined frequenciesare applied to the first electrode unit 411 and the second electrode unit 412 .
- the liquid crystal 420 acan be changed to be aligned from the homeotropic state to the random state including the planar state with a random tilt angle.
- the frequency of the voltagesis not limited thereto.
- FIG. 7is a cross-sectional view of a light controlling apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- descriptions about components identical or corresponding to those of the above-described exemplary embodimentswill be omitted.
- a light controlling apparatus according to the present exemplary embodimentwill be described.
- alight controlling apparatus 500includes an electrode unit 510 , a liquid crystal unit 520 , an alignment unit 530 , a wall 540 , a network 550 , and a spacer.
- the alignment unit 530 , the wall 540 , the network 550 , and the spacer constituting the light controlling apparatus 500 of the present exemplary embodimentare respectively identical to the alignment unit 430 , the wall 440 , the network 450 , and the spacer constituting the light controlling apparatus 400 described above with reference to FIG. 5 . Therefore, redundant descriptions about the components described above with reference to FIG. 5 will be omitted.
- the electrode unit 510 constituting the light controlling apparatus 500includes a first electrode unit 511 and a second electrode unit 512 provided to face each other, and the liquid crystal unit 520 may be positioned between the first electrode unit 511 and the second electrode unit 512 .
- the first electrode unit 511includes a substrate 511 a formed of a transparent material and an electrode 511 b positioned on the substrate 511 a .
- the electrode 511 bincludes a plurality of patterned electrodes.
- the second electrode unit 512includes only a substrate 512 a formed of a transparent material but does not include an electrode on the substrate.
- the patterned electrode 511 b of the first electrode unit 511is configured to apply a horizontal electric field to a liquid crystal 520 a in the liquid crystal unit 520 .
- a driving method of the first electrode unit 511 including the patterned electrode 511 bis the same as the method described above with reference to FIG. 5 .
- the substrates 511 a and 512 aare respectively identical to the substrates 111 a and 112 a described above with reference to FIG. 1 .
- a material of the electrode 511 b constituting the first electrode unit 511is identical to the material of the electrode 111 b described above with reference to FIG. 1 .
- alight controlling apparatus 600includes an electrode unit 610 , a liquid crystal unit 620 , an alignment unit 630 , a wall 640 , a network 650 , a spacer, and a coloring member 670 .
- the electrode unit 610 , the liquid crystal unit 620 , the alignment unit 630 , the wall 640 , the network 650 , and the spacer constituting the light controlling apparatus 600 of the present exemplary embodimentare respectively identical to the electrode unit 410 , the liquid crystal unit 420 , the alignment unit 430 , the wall 440 , the network 450 , and the spacer constituting the light controlling apparatus 400 described above with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 . Therefore, redundant descriptions about the components described above with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 will be omitted.
- the light controlling apparatus 600further includes the coloring member 670 positioned in the liquid crystal unit 620 .
- the coloring member 670 according to the present exemplary embodimentis identical to the coloring member 270 described above with reference to FIG. 3 . That is, the coloring member 670 may be formed of a dye having any one color of black, red, green, blue, and yellow or a combination color thereof.
- FIG. 9is a cross-sectional view of a light controlling apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- descriptions about components identical or corresponding to those of the above-described exemplary embodimentswill be omitted.
- a light controlling apparatus according to the present exemplary embodimentwill be described.
- alight controlling apparatus 700includes an electrode unit 710 , a liquid crystal unit 720 , an alignment unit 730 , a wall 740 , a network 750 , a spacer, a coloring member 770 , and a refractive index matching layer 780 .
- the electrode unit 710 , the liquid crystal unit 720 , the alignment unit 730 , the wall 740 , the network 750 , and the spacer constituting the light controlling apparatus 700 of the present exemplary embodimentare respectively identical to the electrode unit 410 , the liquid crystal unit 420 , the alignment unit 430 , the wall 440 , the network 450 , and the spacer constituting the light controlling apparatus 400 described above with reference to FIG. 5 .
- the coloring member 770 constituting the light controlling apparatus 700is identical to the coloring member 670 described above with reference to FIG. 8 .
- the light controlling apparatus 700further includes the refractive index matching layer 780 .
- a role, an effect, and a function of the refractive index matching layer 780 according to the present exemplary embodimentare identical to those of the refractive index matching layer 380 described above with reference to FIG. 4 . Therefore, redundant descriptions on the components described above with reference to FIG. 4 to FIG. 8 will be omitted.
- the refractive index matching layer 780compensates a difference in refractive index between the components constituting the light controlling apparatus 700 .
- the refractive index matching layer 780provides an improved transmittance ratio as compared with a case where the light controlling apparatus 700 exhibits a transparent mode, and also provides an improved light shielding ratio as compared with a case where the light controlling apparatus 700 exhibits a light shielding mode.
- the refractive index matching layer 780is formed of an insulating material, the refractive index matching layer 780 can prevent occurrence of a short within the light controlling apparatus 700 and thus can increase driving reliability of the light controlling apparatus 700 .
- FIG. 10 a to FIG. 10 fare schematic sequence diagrams of the fabricating process of the light controlling apparatus according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
- FIG. 10 a to FIG. 10 fillustrate a fabricating process of the light controlling apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 .
- a mixed liquid crystal 120 min which a first monomer 141 m , a second monomer 142 m , and the liquid crystal 120 a are mixed, is prepared.
- the liquid crystal 120 ais at least one among a negative type liquid crystal, a positive type liquid crystal, or a DFLC.
- the first monomer 141 mis a monomer for forming the first polymer 141
- the second monomer 142 mis a monomer for forming the second polymer 142 .
- a ratio of the liquid crystal 120 a to the monomers 141 m and 142 mmay be 80:20 to 95:5. If the liquid crystal 120 a is less than 80 wt % of the mixed liquid crystal 120 m , the scattering of light caused by the liquid crystal 120 a may not occur well. If the liquid crystal 120 a is more than 95 wt % of the mixed liquid crystal 120 m , the scattering of light caused by the liquid crystal 120 a may excessively occur, which may cause a transparent mode not to be realized well. Thus, the ratio of the liquid crystal 120 a to the monomers 141 m and 142 m may be 80:20 to 95:5. Further, a ratio of the first monomer 141 m to the second monomer 142 m may be 1:1 to 1:2.5 that is not regarded to a ratio of the liquid crystal 120 a to the first and second monomers 141 m and 142 m.
- the mixed liquid crystal 120 mmay further include the coloring member 270 , 370 , 670 or 770 illustrated in FIG. 3 , FIG. 4 , FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 .
- the coloring members 270 , 370 , 670 and 770are relatively small in amount as compared with the liquid crystal 120 a and the monomers 141 m and 142 m , and the amount of the coloring members 270 , 370 , 670 and 770 does not affect the ratio of the monomers 141 m and 142 m , the ratio of monomers 141 m and 142 m is the same as described above regardless of presence or absence of the coloring members 270 , 370 , 670 and 770 .
- the first electrode unit 111 and the second electrode unit 112are prepared.
- the electrode 111 bis disposed on one surface of the substrate 111 a and the electrode 112 b is disposed on one surface of the substrate 112 a to prepare the first electrode unit 111 and the second electrode unit 112 .
- the first alignment member 131may be disposed on the first electrode unit 111 and the second alignment member 132 may be disposed on the second electrode unit 112 .
- the spaceris positioned on at least one among the first electrode unit 111 or the second electrode unit 112 .
- the spacermay be positioned on the first electrode unit 111 , or the spacer may be positioned on the second electrode unit 112 .
- first electrode unit 111 and the second electrode unit 112are laminated or assembled to each other with the spacer interposed therebetween.
- a mixed liquid crystal unit having the mixed liquid crystal 120 mis formed in the first electrode unit 111 and the second electrode unit 112 .
- the mixed liquid crystal 120 mmay be formed between the first electrode unit 111 and the second electrode unit 112 by an injection method using a capillary phenomenon.
- the mixed liquid crystalmay be formed between the first electrode unit 111 and the second electrode unit 112 .
- the mixingcan be achieved by a squeeze method in which the mixed liquid crystal is injected at the same time when the roll-to-roll process is performed.
- the first and second monomers 141 m and 142 mare cured using UV rays so as to form the wall 140 in a region corresponding to the pattern PT.
- the curing processmay be performed by irradiating UV rays having a wavelength of 365 nm with an intensity of 10 to 100 mW for 10 to 60 minutes.
- the wall 140is formed in the region corresponding to the pattern PT, and the wall 140 includes the first polymer 141 and the second polymer 142 respectively polymerized from the first monomers 141 m and the second monomers 142 m by curing.
- the first and second monomers 141 m and 142 m present in a region where the UV rays are irradiatedare cured while being phase-separated from the mixed liquid crystal 120 m .
- the monomersare converted into polymers in the cured region.
- the first and second monomers 141 m and 142 m present in a region where the UV rays are not irradiatedare moved to the polymers within the mixed liquid crystal 120 m . Therefore, the first and second monomers 141 m and 142 m dispersed throughout the mixed liquid crystal 120 m are concentrated in the region where the curing process proceeds.
- the wall 140 including the first and second polymers 141 and 142is formed.
- the first monomer 141 mis a monomer having the same shape as the liquid crystal 120 a . Since the first monomer 141 m has the same shape as the liquid crystal 120 a , it can assist homeotropic state of the liquid crystal 120 a during a UV curing process. That is, since the first monomer 141 m has the same shape as the liquid crystal 120 a , it can improve vertical alignment of the liquid crystal 120 a during a UV curing process.
- the first and second monomers 141 m and 142 m in the entire regionare cured using UV rays for shorter irradiation energy than the time for forming a wall, so that the network 150 is formed.
- the curing processmay be performed by irradiating UV rays having a wavelength of 365 nm with an intensity of 10 to 300 mW for 3 to 100 seconds.
- UV irradiation energyis determined depending on UV irradiation time and irradiation intensity.
- the curing processis performed by varying an irradiation time. Otherwise, the curing process may also be performed by varying irradiation intensity.
- the n wall 140can be formed by curing with a greater UV irradiation energy than curing for forming the network 150 .
- the network 150can be formed by curing with a smaller UV irradiation energy than curing for forming the wall 140 .
- the network 150also includes the first polymer 141 and the second polymer 142 respectively polymerized from the first and second monomers 141 m and 142 m by curing in the same manner as the wall 140 .
- the first and second monomers 141 m and 142 m remaining after the curing process for forming the wall 140are cured at random positions in the entire region during the curing process for forming a network, so that the network 150 is formed.
- FIG. 11 ais a schematic plan view provided for describing a display device to which a light controlling apparatus is applied according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 11 bis a cross-sectional view of the display device taken along a line XI-XI′ of FIG. 11 a .
- a display device 1100includes a display panel 1190 and the light controlling apparatus 100 .
- FIG. 11 aillustrates only some of a plurality of pixels P of the display device 1100 and illustrates only a black matrix 1140 and the wall 140 of the display device 1100 for convenience in description.
- the display panel 1190is a panel for displaying an image, and may be, for example, an organic light emitting display panel.
- the display panel 1190may be a transparent organic light emitting display panel or transparent flexible organic light emitting display panel including a transmissive area TA as illustrated in FIGS. 11 a and 11 b .
- the display panel 1190is not limited thereto and may display an image in various ways.
- the display panel 1190is a top-emission organic light emitting display panel in which a light emitted from an organic light emitting element 1130 emits toward an upper substrate 1115 . Further, the display panel 1190 is a transparent organic light emitting display panel including a transmissive area TA.
- the display panel 1190includes a plurality of pixels P, and each pixel P includes a transmissive area TA, an emissive area EA, and a circuit area CA.
- the transmissive area TArefers to an area where an external light incident from the outside of the display panel 1190 is transmitted. A user can see a background, i.e., a background of the display device 1100 , through the transmissive area TA.
- the emissive area EArefers to an area where a light emitted from the organic light emitting element 1130 emits and also refers to an area where an image is displayed by the organic light emitting element 1130 .
- the circuit area CArefers to an area where various circuits for driving the organic light emitting element 1130 are disposed, and may overlap with the emissive area EA.
- a thin-film transistor 1120is disposed on a lower substrate 1111 of the display panel 1190 .
- the thin-film transistor 1120is disposed in the circuit area CA, and includes a gate electrode, an active layer, a source electrode, and a drain electrode. Further, a gate insulating layer 1112 configured to insulate the gate electrode from the active layer is disposed.
- a planarization layer 1113configured to planarize an upper part of the thin-film transistor 1120 is disposed on the thin-film transistor 1120 , and the organic light emitting element 1130 is disposed on the planarization layer 1113 .
- the organic light emitting element 1130is disposed in the emissive area EA, and includes an anode 1131 for supplying a hole to an organic light emitting layer 1132 , the organic light emitting layer 1132 , and a cathode 1133 for supplying an electron to the organic light emitting layer 1132 .
- the anode 1131is electrically connected with the thin-film transistor 1120 through a contact hole in the planarization layer 1113 .
- the anode 1131includes, for example, at least a transparent conductive layer formed of transparent conductive oxide (TCO) and a reflective layer disposed under the transparent conductive layer and configured to reflect a light emitted from the organic light emitting element 1130 to an upper part of the display panel 1190 .
- TCOtransparent conductive oxide
- the anode 1131may be defined as including the transparent conductive layer only, and the reflective layer may be defined as a component separate from the anode 1131 .
- a bank 1114 that defines the emissive area EAis disposed on the anode 1131 , and the organic light emitting layer 1132 and the cathode 1133 are disposed on the anode 1131 and the bank 1114 .
- the organic light emitting layer 1132can emit a light of a specific color, for example, a light of any one color of white, red, green, and blue. In the following description, it is described that the organic light emitting layer 1132 emits a white light.
- the cathode 1133is disposed on the organic light emitting layer 1132 .
- the cathode 1133may be formed of a transparent conductive material or a metallic material. If the cathode 1133 is formed of a metallic material, the cathode 1133 is formed to have a very small thickness, allowing light emitted from the organic light emitting layer 1132 to pass through the cathode 1133 .
- the black matrix 1140is disposed on the upper substrate 1115 of the display panel 1190 .
- the black matrix 1140is disposed at a boundary between the pixels P and a boundary between the transmissive area TA and the emissive area EA.
- a color filter 1150is disposed in the emissive area EA on the upper substrate 1115 of the display panel 1190 .
- the color filter 1150may be one among a red color filter, a green color filter, and a blue color filter, but is not limited thereto, and may be a color filter that transmits a light of another color.
- the upper substrate 1115 and the lower substrate 1111are bonded or assembled to each other by an adhesive layer 1160 .
- the display panel 1190may further include a sealing layer for protecting the organic light emitting element 1130 against moisture or oxygen from the outside.
- the light controlling apparatus 100may be combined with the display panel 1190 . Therefore, the light controlling apparatus 100 can provide a light shielding mode and a transparent mode to the user. To be more specific, the light controlling apparatus 100 may be bonded to a rear surface of the display panel 1190 that is opposite from a front surface of the display panel 1190 which is a light emitting surface of the display panel 1190 .
- an adhesive memberfor example, an optical clear adhesive (OCA) as one among optical transparent adhesives is used to bond or assemble the light controlling apparatus 100 to the rear surface of the transparent display panel 1190 and a lamination process is performed thereto.
- OCAoptical clear adhesive
- the light controlling apparatus 100can be finally combined with the display panel 1190 .
- the OCAmay have a refractive index ranging from 1.4 to 1.9.
- the wall 140 of the light controlling apparatus 100is disposed so as to correspond to the black matrix 1140 of the display panel 1190 . That is, as illustrated in FIG. 11 a and FIG. 11 b , the wall 140 of the light controlling apparatus 100 is disposed to overlap with the black matrix 1140 of the display panel 1190 and disposed at all of the boundary between the pixels P of the display panel 1190 and the boundary between the transmissive area TA and the emissive area EA.
- a width WA of the wall 140may be equal to or smaller than a width WB of the black matrix 1140 .
- the wall 140 of the light controlling apparatus 100is disposed as described above, the wall 140 may be disposed in a mesh structure in a plan view as illustrated in FIG. 11 a . Otherwise, although not illustrated, the wall 140 may be disposed in a stripe structure so as to overlap with a part of the black matrix 1140 .
- the wall 140 of the light controlling apparatus 100 as described abovemay be manufactured by the same method as described with reference to FIG. 10 d . That is, the wall 140 may be formed by irradiating UV rays with the mask M having the pattern PT corresponding to the black matrix 1140 of the display panel 1190 in order to form the wall 140 at a position corresponding to the black matrix 1140 of the display panel 1190 .
- the light controlling apparatus 100While the display panel 1190 does not supply an image, the light controlling apparatus 100 exhibits a transparent mode. As described above, since the state of the liquid crystal 120 a in the liquid crystal unit 120 of the light controlling apparatus 100 is in a homeotropic state as an initial state, while a voltage is not applied to the light controlling apparatus 100 , the light controlling apparatus 100 exhibits a transparent mode in which a light incident from the outside is transmitted.
- the light controlling apparatus 100exhibits so as to shield a light incident form the rear surface that is opposite surface of the front surface which is a light emitting surface of the display panel 1190 .
- a voltageis applied to the first electrode unit 111 and the second electrode unit 112 of the light controlling apparatus 100 such that there is a voltage difference between the first electrode unit 111 and the second electrode unit 120 , and, thus, the liquid crystal 120 a in the liquid crystal unit 120 is aligned randomly. Therefore, the liquid crystal unit 120 scatters light incident from the outside, and the light controlling apparatus 100 blocks the light incident from the outside from being seen through the rear surface of the display panel 1190 .
- the quality of an imagecan be improved.
- the light controlling apparatus 100may provide an aesthetic effect to the user, if necessary, in addition to the shielding function. For example, if the coloring member 270 as illustrated in FIG. 3 is applied to the light controlling apparatus 100 , background image having a color is provided to the user by showing the color of the coloring member 270 .
- FIG. 11 billustrates that the wall 140 of the light controlling apparatus 100 is disposed at all of the boundary between the pixels P of the display panel 1190 and the boundary between the transmissive area TA and the emissive area EA, the wall 140 may be disposed so as to overlap with only the black matrix 1140 disposed at the boundary between the pixels P of the display panel 1190 .
- the emissive area EA of the display panel 1190is an area for emitting a light but not an area capable of transmitting an external light
- a portion of the light controlling apparatus 100 corresponding to the emissive area EAmay not be realized in a light shielding mode and a transparent mode. That is, the portion of the light controlling apparatus 100 corresponding to the emissive area EA may be continuously in a transparent mode.
- FIG. 1is an area for emitting a light but not an area capable of transmitting an external light
- the electrode 11 billustrates that the electrode 111 b of the first electrode unit 111 and the electrode 112 b of the second electrode unit 112 are disposed so as to correspond to all of the emissive area EA and the transmissive area TA, the electrode 111 b of the first electrode unit 111 and the electrode 112 b of the second electrode unit 112 may be disposed only in the transmissive area TA.
- FIG. 11 billustrates that the light controlling apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is used as the light controlling apparatus 100
- the light controlling apparatus 100is not limited thereto.
- the light controlling apparatuses 100 , 200 , 300 , 400 , 500 , 600 and 700 illustrated in FIG. 3 to FIG. 9may be used as being combined with the display panel 1190 .
- FIG. 11 billustrates that the first electrode unit 111 of the light controlling apparatus 100 is in contact with the lower substrate 1111 of the display panel 1190
- the second electrode unit 112 of the light controlling apparatus 100may be in contact with the lower substrate 1111 of the display panel 1190 .
- the lower substrate 1111 of the display panel 1190may be one among substrates constituting the first electrode unit 111 or the second electrode unit 112 of the light controlling apparatus 100 .
- the electrode 111 b of the first electrode unit 111 or the electrode 112 b of the second electrode unit 112 constituting the light controlling apparatus 100is formed on a rear surface of the lower substrate 1111 of the display panel 1190 , the lower substrate 1111 of the display panel 1190 plays the same role as the substrates 111 a and 112 a constituting the first electrode unit 111 or the second electrode unit 120 . Therefore, the lower substrate 1111 , the electrode 111 b of the first electrode unit 110 , or the electrode 112 b of the second electrode unit 112 may have the same configuration as the first electrode unit 111 or second electrode unit 112 as described above.
- FIG. 11 cis a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- descriptions on components identical or corresponding to those of the above-described exemplary embodimentwill be omitted.
- a display device according to the present exemplary embodimentwill be described with reference to FIG. 11 c.
- the wall 140 of the light controlling apparatus 100may be disposed so as to overlap with the black matrix 1140 of the display panel 1190 and may also be disposed in the emissive area EA of the display panel 1190 .
- a width WA 1 of the wall 140 overlapping with the black matrix 1140 onlyis equal to the width WB of the black matrix 1140 and smaller than a width WA 2 of the wall 140 overlapping with the black matrix 1140 and the emissive area EA.
- the emissive area EA of the display penal 1190is an area for emitting a light but not an area capable of transmitting an external light
- the liquid crystal 120 a for shielding or transmitting an external lightmay not be disposed in a portion of the light controlling apparatus 100 corresponding to the emissive area EA. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 11 c , the wall 140 of the light controlling apparatus 100 may be formed so as to correspond to the entire emissive area EA.
- the wall 140 of the light controlling apparatus 100may be manufactured by the same method as described with reference to FIG. 10 d . That is, the wall 140 may be formed by irradiating UV rays with the mask M having the pattern PT at a position corresponding to the black matrix 1140 of the display panel 1190 and at a position corresponding to the emissive area EA.
- a driving method of the light controlling apparatus 100 combined with the display panel 1190is the same as described above with reference to FIG. 11 b , and, thus, redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.
- FIG. 11 cillustrates that the wall 140 is formed so as to correspond to the entire emissive area EA, the wall 140 may be formed so as to correspond to only a partial area of the emissive area EA.
- FIG. 11 dis a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- descriptions on components identical or corresponding to those of the above-described exemplary embodimentwill be omitted.
- a display device according to the present exemplary embodimentwill be described with reference to FIG. 11 d.
- the light controlling apparatus 100may be bonded to the front surface as a light emitting surface of the display panel 1190 .
- an adhesive memberfor example, OCA as one among optical transparent adhesives, is used to bond the light controlling apparatus 100 to the rear surface of the transparent display panel 1190 and a lamination process is performed thereto.
- the light controlling apparatus 100can finally be combined with the display panel 1190 .
- the wall 140 of the light controlling apparatus 100is disposed so as to correspond to the black matrix 1140 of the display panel 1190 . That is, as illustrated in FIG. 11 d , the wall 140 of the light controlling apparatus 100 is disposed to overlap with the black matrix 1140 of the display panel 1190 so as to be disposed at all of the boundary between the pixels P of the display panel 1190 and the boundary between the transmissive area TA and the emissive area EA.
- the width WA of the wall 140may be equal to or smaller than the width WB of the black matrix 1140 . If the wall 140 of the light controlling apparatus 100 is disposed as described above, the wall 140 may be disposed in a mesh structure in a plan view. Otherwise, although not illustrated, the wall 140 may be disposed in a stripe structure so as to overlap with a part of the black matrix 1140 .
- the wall 140 of the light controlling apparatus 100 as described abovemay be manufactured by the same method as described with reference to FIG. 10 d . That is, the wall 140 may be formed by irradiating UV rays with the mask M having the pattern PT corresponding to the black matrix 1140 of the display panel 1190 in order to form the wall 140 at a position corresponding to the black matrix 1140 of the display panel 1190 .
- the electrode 111 b of the first electrode unit 111 and the electrode 112 b of the second electrode unit 112are formed so as to correspond to the transmissive area TA only.
- the liquid crystal 120 a and the coloring member 140are disposed on the entire region of the light controlling apparatus 100 . That is, as illustrated in FIG. 10 c to FIG. 10 f , the light controlling apparatus 100 is manufactured by curing the wall 140 and the network 170 in a state where the mixed liquid crystal 120 m is disposed on the entire region of the light controlling apparatus 100 .
- the light controlling apparatus 100may also be driven in the emissive area EA. Accordingly, a light emitted from the emissive area EA may be blocked by the light controlling apparatus 100 .
- the electrode 111 b and the electrode 112 bare disposed so as to correspond to the transmissive area TA only, so that only a portion of the light controlling apparatus 100 corresponding to the transmissive area TA is driven and a portion of the light controlling apparatus 100 corresponding to the emissive area EA is continuously maintained in a transparent mode.
- the light controlling apparatus 100While the display panel 1190 does not supply an image, the light controlling apparatus 100 exhibits a transparent mode. That is, while a voltage is not applied to the light controlling apparatus 100 , the light controlling apparatus 100 is realized in a transparent mode in which a light incident from the outside is transmitted.
- the light controlling apparatus 100is realized so as to block a light incident form the rear surface.
- a voltageis applied to the first electrode unit 111 and the second electrode unit 112 of the light controlling apparatus 100 , and, thus, the liquid crystal 120 a in the liquid crystal unit 120 is aligned randomly. Therefore, the liquid crystal unit 120 scatters light incident from the outside, and the light controlling apparatus 100 blocks the light incident from the outside from being seen through the transmissive area TA. Thus, the quality of an image can be improved.
- the light controlling apparatus 100is still realized in a transparent mode, and, thus, the user can see an image through the emissive area EA.
- FIG. 11 dillustrates that the wall 140 of the light controlling apparatus 100 is disposed at all of the boundary between the pixels P of the display panel 1190 and the boundary between the transmissive area TA and the emissive area EA, the wall 140 may be disposed so as to overlap with only the black matrix 1140 disposed at the boundary between the pixels P of the display panel 1190 .
- the upper substrate 1115 of the display panel 1190may be one among substrates constituting the first electrode unit 111 or the second electrode unit 112 of the light controlling apparatus 100 .
- the electrode 111 b of the first electrode unit 111 or the electrode 112 b of the second electrode unit 112 constituting the light controlling apparatus 100is formed on a front surface of the upper substrate 1115 of the display panel 1190 , the upper substrate 1115 of the display panel 1190 plays the same role as the substrates 111 a and 112 a constituting the first electrode unit 111 or the second electrode unit 120 . Therefore, the upper substrate 1115 , the electrode 111 b of the first electrode unit 110 , or the electrode 112 b of the second electrode unit 112 may have the same configuration as the first electrode unit 111 or second electrode unit 112 as described above.
- the wall 140may also be formed in the emissive area EA. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 11 c , a part of the partition wall 140 may overlap with the black matrix 1140 only and another part thereof may overlap with the black matrix 1140 and the emissive area EA. As described above, since the wall 140 is formed of a UV curing monomer formed of a transparent material capable of transmitting a light, the wall 140 may be formed so as to correspond to the entire emissive area EA in order for the portion of the light controlling apparatus 100 corresponding to the emissive area EA to continuously transmit light.
- FIG. 11 a to FIG. 11 dillustrate that the display panel 1100 is an organic light emitting display panel of a top-emission type or a bottom-emission type
- the display panel 1100may be a dual-emission organic light emitting display panel. That is, the display panel 1100 may display an image through a front surface and a rear surface of the display panel.
- the light controlling apparatus 100may be disposed only on one among the front surface and the rear surface of the display panel 1100 or may be disposed on both of the front surface and the rear surface of the display panel 1100 . That is, at least one light controlling apparatus 100 may be attached to the display panel 1100 .
- FIG. 12 ais a schematic plan view provided for describing a display device to which a light controlling apparatus is applied according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 12 bis a cross-sectional view of the display device taken along a line XII-XII′ of FIG. 12 a .
- a display device 1200includes a display panel 1290 and the light controlling apparatus 100 .
- FIG. 12 aillustrates only some of a plurality of pixels P of the display device 1200 and illustrates only a black matrix 1240 and the wall 140 of the display device 1200 for convenience in description.
- descriptions on components identical or corresponding to those of the above-described exemplary embodimentwill be omitted.
- the display device 1200 according to the present exemplary embodimentwill be described with reference to FIG. 12 a.
- the display panel 1290may be a bottom-emission organic light emitting display panel in which light emitted from an organic light emitting element 1230 is released toward a lower substrate 1211 . Further, the display panel 1290 is a transparent organic light emitting display panel including a transmissive area TA.
- the display panel 1290includes a plurality of pixels P, and each pixel P includes a transmissive area TA, an emissive area EA, and a circuit area CA.
- the display panel 1290 illustrated in FIG. 12 a and FIG. 12 bis a bottom-emission organic light emitting display panel, and, thus, the emissive area EA does not overlap with the circuit area CA. That is, since light emitted from the emissive area EA needs to pass through the lower substrate 1211 so as to be released to the outside, the circuit area CA in which various circuits are disposed does not overlap with the emissive area EA.
- a thin-film transistor 1220is disposed on the lower substrate 1211 of the display panel 1290 .
- the thin-film transistor 1220is disposed in the circuit area CA.
- a gate insulating layer 1212configured to insulate a gate electrode from an active layer is provided.
- a planarization layer 1213configured to planarize an upper part of the thin-film transistor 1220 is disposed on the thin-film transistor 1220 , and the organic light emitting element 1230 is disposed on the planarization layer 1213 .
- the organic light emitting element 1230is disposed in the emissive area EA, and includes an anode 1231 for supplying a hole to an organic light emitting layer 1232 , the organic light emitting layer 1232 , and a cathode 1233 for supplying an electron to the organic light emitting layer 1232 .
- the anode 1231is electrically connected with the thin-film transistor 1220 through a contact hole in the planarization layer 1213 .
- the anode 1231includes a transparent conductive layer formed of transparent conductive oxide (TCO).
- a bank 1214 that defines the emissive area EAis disposed on the anode 1231 , and the organic light emitting layer 1232 and the cathode 1233 are disposed on the anode 1231 and the bank 1214 .
- the organic light emitting layer 1232can emit light of a specific color, for example, light of any one color of white, red, green, and blue. In the following description, it is described that the organic light emitting layer 1232 emits a white light.
- the cathode 1233is disposed on the organic light emitting layer 1232 . As described above, since the display panel 1290 is a bottom-emission organic light emitting display panel, the cathode 1233 may be formed of a metallic material.
- the upper substrate 1215 and the lower substrate 1211are bonded to each other by an adhesive layer 1260 .
- the display panel 1290may further include a sealing layer for protecting the organic light emitting element 1230 against moisture or oxygen from the outside.
- the black matrix 1240is disposed on the lower substrate 1211 of the display panel 1290 .
- the black matrix 1240is disposed at a boundary between the pixels P, a boundary between the emissive area EA and the circuit area CA, a boundary between the transmissive area TA and the circuit area CA, and in the circuit area CA.
- a color filter 1250is disposed in the emissive area EA on the lower substrate 1211 of the display panel 1290 .
- the color filter 1250may be one among a red color filter, a green color filter, and a blue color filter, but is not limited thereto, and may be a color filter that transmits light of another color.
- An overcoat layer 1216 for planarizing an upper part of the color filter 1250is disposed on the color filter 1250 , and the thin-film transistor 1220 is disposed on the overcoat layer 1216 .
- the light controlling apparatus 100may have a function of a light shielding plate by being combined with the display panel 1290 .
- the light controlling apparatus 100may be bonded to a front surface of the display panel 1290 that is opposite of a rear surface of the display panel 1290 which is a light emitting surface of the display panel 1290 .
- an adhesive memberfor example, OCA as one among optical transparent adhesives, is used to bond the light controlling apparatus 100 to the rear->front surface of the transparent display panel 1290 and a lamination process is performed thereto.
- the light controlling apparatus 100can be finally combined with the display panel 1290 .
- the wall 140 of the light controlling apparatus 100is disposed so as to correspond to the black matrix 1240 of the display panel 1290 . That is, as illustrated in FIG. 12 b , the wall 140 of the light controlling apparatus 100 is disposed at the boundary between the pixels P, the boundary between the emissive area EA and the circuit area CA, the boundary between the transmissive area TA and the circuit area CA, and in the circuit area CA.
- the width WA 1 of the wall 140 disposed at the boundary between the pixels Pmay be equal to or smaller than a width WB 1 of the black matrix 1240 disposed at the boundary between the pixels P.
- the width of the wall 140 disposed in the circuit area CAmay be equal to or smaller than a width WB 2 of the black matrix 1240 disposed in the circuit area CA.
- the wall 140 of the light controlling apparatus 100may be disposed as described above, the wall 140 may be disposed in a mesh structure in a plane view as illustrated in FIG. 12 a . Otherwise, although not illustrated, the wall 140 may be disposed in a stripe structure so as to overlap with some part of the black matrix 1240 .
- the wall 140 of the light controlling apparatus 100 as described abovemay be manufactured by the same method as described with reference to FIG. 10 d . That is, the wall 140 may be formed by irradiating UV rays with the mask M having the pattern PT corresponding to the black matrix 1240 of the display panel 1290 in order to form the wall 140 at a position corresponding to the black matrix 1240 of the display panel 1290 .
- the light controlling apparatus 100While the display panel 1290 does not supply an image, the light controlling apparatus 100 exhibits a transparent mode. As described above, since the liquid crystal 120 a in the liquid crystal unit 120 of the light controlling apparatus 100 is in a homeotropic state as an initial state, while a voltage is not applied to the light controlling apparatus 100 , the light controlling apparatus 100 exhibits a transparent mode in which light incident from the outside is transmitted.
- the light controlling apparatus 100is driven so as to block light incident form the front surface that is opposite of the rear surface which is a light emitting surface of the display panel 1290 .
- a voltageis applied to the first electrode unit 111 and the second electrode unit 112 of the light controlling apparatus 100 such that there is a voltage difference between the first electrode unit 111 and the second electrode unit 120 , and, thus, the liquid crystal 120 a in the liquid crystal unit 120 is aligned randomly. Therefore, the liquid crystal unit 120 scatters light incident from the outside, and the light controlling apparatus 100 blocks the light incident from the outside from being seen through the rear surface of the display panel 1290 .
- the quality of an imagecan be improved.
- the display panel 1290may provide an aesthetic effect to the user, if necessary, in addition to the light shielding plate function.
- the light controlling apparatus 100may provide wallpaper having a color to the user by showing the color of the coloring member 270 constituting the light controlling apparatus 100 .
- FIG. 12 billustrates that the wall 140 of the light controlling apparatus 100 is disposed at all of the boundary between the pixels P, the boundary between the emissive area EA and the circuit area CA, the boundary between the transmissive area TA and the circuit area CA, and in the circuit area CA, the wall 140 may be disposed so as to overlap with only the black matrix 1240 disposed at the boundary between the pixels P of the display panel 1290 .
- the wall 140 of the light controlling apparatus 100may also be disposed in the emissive area EA. Since the wall 140 is formed of a UV curing monomer formed of a transparent material capable of transmitting light, the wall 140 may be formed so as to correspond to the entire emissive area EA in order for the portion of the light controlling apparatus 100 corresponding to the emissive area EA to continuously transmit light. In this case, the wall 140 may not be disposed in the circuit area CA.
- FIG. 12 billustrates that the electrode 111 b of the first electrode unit 111 and the electrode 112 b of the second electrode unit 112 are disposed so as to correspond to all of the emissive area EA and the transmissive area TA
- the electrode 111 b and the electrode 112 bmay be disposed only in the transmissive area TA. That is, since the emissive area EA of the display penal 1290 is an area for emitting light but not an area capable of transmitting an external light, the portion of the light controlling apparatus 100 corresponding to the emissive area EA may not be driven in a light shielding mode and a transparent mode. That is, the portion of the light controlling apparatus 100 corresponding to the emissive area EA may be continuously in a transparent mode. Thus, the electrode 111 b and the electrode 112 b may be disposed only in the transmissive area TA.
- FIG. 12 billustrates that the light controlling apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is used as the light controlling apparatus 100
- the light controlling apparatus 100is not limited thereto.
- the light controlling apparatuses 100 , 200 , 300 , 400 , 500 , 600 and 700 illustrated in FIG. 3 to FIG. 9may be used by being combined with the display panel 1290 .
- FIG. 12 billustrates that the first electrode unit 111 of the light controlling apparatus 100 is in contact with the upper substrate 1215 of the display panel 1290
- the second electrode unit 112 of the light controlling apparatus 100may be in contact with the upper substrate 1215 of the display panel 1290 .
- the upper substrate 1215 of the display panel 1290may be one among substrates constituting the first electrode unit 111 or the second electrode unit 112 of the light controlling apparatus 100 .
- the electrode 111 b of the first electrode unit 111 or the electrode 112 b of the second electrode unit 112 constituting the light controlling apparatus 100is formed on a front surface of the upper substrate 1215 of the display panel 1290 , the upper substrate 1215 of the display panel 1290 plays the same role as the substrates 111 a and 112 a constituting the first electrode unit 111 or the second electrode unit 120 . Therefore, the upper substrate 1215 , the electrode 111 b of the first electrode unit 110 , or the electrode 112 b of the second electrode unit 112 may have the same configuration as the first electrode unit 111 or second electrode unit 112 as described above.
- FIG. 12 a and FIG. 12 billustrate that the transmissive area TA, the circuit area CA, and the emissive area EA are disposed in sequence in one pixel P, the sequence of the transmissive area TA, the circuit area CA, and the emissive area EA in one pixel P is not limited thereto.
- FIG. 12 cis a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- descriptions on components identical or corresponding to those of the above-described exemplary embodimentwill be omitted.
- a display device according to the present exemplary embodimentwill be described with reference to FIG. 12 c.
- the light controlling apparatus 100may be bonded to the rear surface of the display panel 1290 where the display panel 1290 outputs an image.
- an adhesive memberfor example, OCA as one among optical transparent adhesives, is used to bond or assemble the light controlling apparatus 100 to the front surface of the transparent display panel 1290 and a lamination process is performed thereto.
- the light controlling apparatus 100can be finally combined with the display panel 1290 .
- the wall 140 of the light controlling apparatus 100is disposed so as to correspond to the black matrix 1240 of the display panel 1290 . That is, as illustrated in FIG. 12 c , as the wall 140 of the light controlling apparatus 100 is disposed so as to overlap with the black matrix 1240 of the display panel 1290 the wall 140 of the light controlling apparatus 100 is disposed at all of the boundary between the pixels P of the display panel 1290 , the boundary between the emissive area EA and the circuit area CA, the boundary between the transmissive area TA and the circuit area CA, and in the circuit area CA.
- the wall 140 of the light controlling apparatus 100 as described abovemay be manufactured by the same method as described with reference to FIG. 10 d . That is, the wall 140 may be formed by irradiating UV rays with the mask M having the pattern PT corresponding to the black matrix 1240 of the display panel 1290 in order to form the wall 140 at a position corresponding to the black matrix 1240 of the display panel 1290 .
- the electrode 111 b of the first electrode unit 111 and the electrode 112 b of the second electrode unit 112are formed so as to correspond to the transmissive area TA only.
- the liquid crystal 120 ais disposed on the entire region of the light controlling apparatus 100 . That is, as illustrated in FIG. 10 c to FIG. 10 f , the light controlling apparatus 100 is manufactured by curing the wall 140 and the network 170 in a state where the mixed liquid crystal 120 m is disposed on the entire region of the light controlling apparatus 100 .
- the light controlling apparatus 100may also be driven in the emissive area EA. Accordingly, light emitted from the emissive area EA may be blocked by the light controlling apparatus 100 .
- FIG. 1illustrates that the light controlling apparatus 100 may also be driven in the emissive area EA.
- the electrode 111 b and the electrode 112 bare disposed so as to correspond to the transmissive area TA only, so that only a portion of the light controlling apparatus 100 corresponding to the transmissive area TA is driven and a portion of the light controlling apparatus 100 corresponding to the emissive area EA is continuously maintained in a transparent mode.
- the light controlling apparatus 100While the display panel 1290 does not supply an image, the light controlling apparatus 100 exhibits a transparent mode. That is, while a voltage is not applied to the light controlling apparatus 100 , the light controlling apparatus 100 is realized in a transparent mode in which light incident from the outside is transmitted.
- the light controlling apparatus 100is realized so as to block light incident from the rear surface.
- a voltageis applied to the electrode 111 b and the electrode 112 b of the first electrode unit 111 of the light controlling apparatus 100 , and, thus, the liquid crystal 120 a in the liquid crystal unit 120 is aligned randomly and the liquid crystal unit 120 scatters light incident from the outside. Therefore, the light controlling apparatus 100 blocks the light incident from the outside from being seen through the transmissive area TA of the display panel 1290 .
- the quality of an imagecan be improved.
- the light controlling apparatus 100is still realized in a transparent mode, and, thus, the user can see an image through the emissive area EA.
- FIG. 12 cillustrates that the wall 140 of the light controlling apparatus 100 is disposed at all of the boundary between the pixels P, the boundary between the emissive area EA and the circuit area CA, the boundary between the transmissive area TA and the circuit area CA, and in the circuit area CA, the wall 140 may be disposed so as to overlap with only the black matrix 1240 disposed at the boundary between the pixels P of the display panel 1290 .
- the wall 140 of the light controlling apparatus 100may also be disposed in the emissive area EA. Since the wall 140 is formed of a UV curing monomer formed of a transparent material capable of transmitting light, the wall 140 may be formed so as to correspond to the entire emissive area EA in order for the portion of the light controlling apparatus 100 corresponding to the emissive area EA to continuously transmit light. In this case, the wall 140 may not be disposed in the circuit area CA.
- the lower substrate 1211 of the display panel 1290may be one among substrates constituting the first electrode unit 111 or the second electrode unit 112 of the light controlling apparatus 100 .
- the lower substrate 1211 of the display panel 1290plays the same role as the substrates 111 a and 112 a constituting the first electrode unit 111 or the second electrode unit 120 . Therefore, the lower substrate 1211 , the electrode 111 b of the first electrode unit 110 , or the electrode 112 b of the second electrode unit 112 may have the same configuration as the first electrode unit 111 or second electrode unit 112 as described above.
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Abstract
Description
- This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0170655 filed on Dec. 2, 2014 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0087803 filed on Jun. 19, 2015, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a light controlling apparatus and a method of fabricating the same.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- In recent years, as the world entered the information age, the field of display devices for processing and displaying information has grown rapidly. Thus, various display devices have been developed and have drawn attention.
- Specific examples of display devices include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) device, a Plasma Display Panel (PDP) device, a Field Emission Display (FED) device, and an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED). Such displays demonstrate excellent performance, such as thinning, weight lightening, and low power consumption. Thus, currently, application fields of the display device continue to increase. In particular, the display device has been used as a user interface in most electronic devices or mobile devices.
- Further, in recent years, a transparent display device which enables a user to see an object or an image positioned on the opposite side through a display device has been actively studied.
- The transparent display device has advantages in terms of space efficiency, interior decoration, and design. Further, the transparent display device can be applied to various fields. The transparent display device can resolve spatial and visual constraints of conventional electronic devices by realizing a display device capable of recognizing information, processing information, and displaying information in a transparent electronic device. The transparent display device can be used in a smart window, and the smart window can be applied to be used in a smart home or smart vehicle.
- Particularly, an LCD may be realized as a transparent display device using an edge-type backlight, but a transparent display device using the LCD exhibits a very low transmittance ratio. Also, the transparent display device using the LCD has a disadvantage in that transparency is reduced by a polarizer used for realizing black and outside visibility is negatively affected as well.
- Further, a transparent display device using an OLED has higher power consumption than the transparent display device using an LCD. Also, a transparent display device has difficulty in expressing true black, but does not have a problem with a contrast ratio in a dark environment. However, it has a disadvantage of reduction in a contrast ratio in a normal environment with light.
- Therefore, in order to realize a transmissive mode and a light shielding mode, there has been suggested a method of using polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) or polymer networked liquid crystal (PNLC) formed into a single layer with a light controlling apparatus of the transparent display device using an OLED. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) or polymer networked liquid crystal (PNLC) formed into a single layer can be formed by mixing a monomer and a liquid crystal and irradiating ultraviolet (UV) rays to the mixture.
- Particularly, the polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) has a structure in which a liquid crystal is formed within a polymer, and the polymer networked liquid crystal (PNLC) has a structure in which a polymer is distributed in a network structure on a liquid crystal.
- If an electric field is applied to the polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) or polymer networked liquid crystal (PNLC), an alignment of the liquid crystal is changed, and, thus, light incident from the outside can be scattered or transmitted. That is, a device using the polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) or polymer networked liquid crystal (PNLC) can scatter or transmit light without a polarizer, and, thus, can be used as a light controlling apparatus of a transparent display device.
- Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a light controlling apparatus and display device including the same, which substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a light controlling apparatus and display device including the same, which may be reduced in power consumption by transmitting a light incident from the outside in an initial state where a voltage is not applied and thus realizing a transparent mode in the initial state.
- Further, another object of the present invention is to provide a light controlling apparatus including both a network and a wall within a liquid crystal unit.
- Furthermore, yet another object of the present invention is to provide a light controlling apparatus including a wall and a network each having two kinds of polymers using two or more different monomers.
- Also, still another object of the present invention is to provide a light controlling apparatus that assists vertical alignment of a liquid crystal by using a monomer having a similar shape with the liquid crystal and that have improved transmittance ratio and a high light shielding ratio by randomly aligning the liquid crystal using a monomer having a random shape.
- Further, still another object of the present invention is to provide a light controlling apparatus having a light shielding mode in which a color is displayed by light shielding or scattering light incident from the outside or a background of the device is invisible.
- Furthermore, still another object of the present invention is to improve a shielding rate of the light controlling apparatus by using the wall in the liquid crystal unit to prevent coloring members from being tilted to a specific region and thus prevent a light leakage caused by coloring members distributed in a non-uniform manner within the liquid crystal unit.
- Also, still another object of the present invention is to provide a light controlling apparatus that can be applied to a flexible display device.
- The objects of the present invention are not limited to the aforementioned objects, and other objects, which are not mentioned above, will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art from the following description.
- According to an aspect of the present invention to achieve the above-described objects, there is provided a light controlling apparatus comprising: a first electrode unit and a second electrode unit facing each other; a liquid crystal unit between the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit, the liquid crystal unit including: a liquid crystal; a network having a first polymer polymerized from a first monomer having a similar shape as the liquid crystal and a second polymer polymerized from a second monomer having a shape different from the first monomer; and a wall having the first polymer and the second polymer.
- According to another feature of the present invention, the light controlling apparatus further comprises a spacer on at least one among the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit.
- According to yet another feature of the present invention, the first monomer and the second monomer include UV-hardened monomers.
- According to still another feature of the present invention, UV wavelengths used for the UV-hardened monomers include same wavelength range.
- According to still another feature of the present invention, the first monomer includes a RM (reactive mesogen)-based monomer.
- According to still another feature of the present invention, the second monomer includes a Bisphenol A Dimethacrylate-based monomer.
- According to still another feature of the present invention, the first monomer assists in vertical alignment of the liquid crystal and the second monomer assists in random alignment of the liquid crystal.
- According to still another feature of the present invention, if the liquid crystal includes one among a negative type liquid crystal or a DFLC (dual frequency liquid crystal), each of the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit includes a common electrode.
- According to still another feature of the present invention, if the liquid crystal includes the negative type liquid crystal, each of the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit is configured to apply a vertical electric field to the liquid crystal unit.
- According to still another feature of the present invention, the light controlling apparatus exhibits a transparent mode with the liquid crystal in a homeotropic state when a voltage is not applied, and wherein the light controlling apparatus exhibits a light shielding mode with the liquid crystal in a random state when a voltage is applied.
- According to still another feature of the present invention, if the liquid crystal includes one among a positive type liquid crystal or a DFLC (dual frequency liquid crystal), at least one among the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit includes a plurality of patterned electrodes.
- According to still another feature of the present invention, if the liquid crystal includes one among a positive type liquid crystal or a DFLC (dual frequency liquid crystal), at least one among the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit includes a plurality of patterned electrodes.
- According to still another feature of the present invention, the light controlling apparatus exhibits a transparent mode with the liquid crystal in a homeotropic state when a voltage is not applied, and wherein the light controlling apparatus exhibits a light shielding mode with the liquid crystal in a random state when a voltage is applied.
- According to still another feature of the present invention, if the liquid crystal includes one among a positive type liquid crystal or a DFLC, at least one among the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit includes a plurality of patterned electrodes and a common electrode.
- According to still another feature of the present invention, a horizontal electric field is applied to the patterned electrode and the common electrode.
- According to still another feature of the present invention, the light controlling apparatus exhibits a transparent mode with the liquid crystal in a homeotropic state when a voltage is not applied, and wherein the light controlling apparatus exhibits a light shielding mode with the liquid crystal in a random state when a voltage is applied.
- According to still another feature of the present invention, the light controlling apparatus further comprises an alignment unit configured to align the liquid crystal in a homeotropic state.
- According to still another feature of the present invention, the alignment unit is on or under the liquid crystal unit.
- According to another aspect of the present invention to achieve the above-described objects, there is provided a method of fabricating a light controlling apparatus, comprising: laminating a first electrode unit to a second electrode unit; forming a liquid crystal unit between the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit, the liquid crystal unit including a mixed liquid crystal having a first monomer, a second monomer and a liquid crystal; forming a wall corresponding to a pattern of a mask on the first electrode unit or on the second electrode unit by polymerizing the first monomer and the second monomer; and forming a network by polymerizing the first monomer and the second monomer with a lower irradiation energy than the forming the wall.
- According to another feature of the present invention, the method further comprises disposing of a spacer on at least one among the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit.
- According to yet another feature of the present invention, the first monomer and the second monomer are polymerized with a light having the same wavelength range.
- According to still another feature of the present invention, each of the forming of the wall and the forming of the network includes polymerizing the first monomer and the second monomer by irradiation with UV rays.
- According to still another feature of the present invention, the first monomer includes a RM (reactive mesogen)-based monomer.
- According to still another feature of the present invention, the second monomer includes a Bisphenol A Dimethacrylate-based monomer.
- According to yet another aspect of the present invention to achieve the above-described objects, there is provided a mixed liquid crystal in which a liquid crystal, a first monomer and a second monomer are present, wherein the first monomer has a similar shape as the liquid crystal and the second monomer has a shape different from the first monomer, and wherein the first monomer and the second monomer are configured to have both a network and a wall in a light controlling apparatus.
- According to another feature of the present invention, the light controlling apparatus exhibits a transparent mode with the liquid crystal in a homeotropic state when a voltage is not applied, and wherein the light controlling apparatus exhibits a light shielding mode with the liquid crystal in a random state when a voltage is applied.
- According to yet another feature of the present invention, the first monomer and the second monomer are cured by UV irradiation at the same wavelength range.
- According to still another feature of the present invention, the first monomer includes an RM (reactive mesogen)-based monomer.
- According to still another feature of the present invention, the second monomer includes a Bisphenol A Dimethacrylate-based monomer.
- According to still another feature of the present invention, the first monomer and the second monomer are polymerized by irradiation with UV rays.
- According to still another feature of the present invention, the liquid crystal includes one among a positive liquid crystal, a negative liquid crystal or a DFLC (dual frequency liquid crystal).
- According to yet another aspect of the present invention to achieve the above-described objects, there is provided a display device comprising: a display panel; and at least one light controlling apparatus attached to the display panel.
- According to another feature of the present invention, the display panel is an OLED panel.
- According to yet another feature of the present invention, the light controlling apparatus is attached to the front surface of the display panel.
- According to still another feature of the present invention, the light controlling apparatus is attached to the rear surface of the display panel.
- Details of other exemplary embodiments will be included in the detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.
- The present invention can provide a light controlling apparatus that can exhibit in a transparent mode by transmitting light incident from the outside without applying a voltage.
- Further, since a liquid crystal of the light controlling apparatus of the present invention has a state that transmits light incident from the outside in an initial state, the transparent mode can be realized in the initial state. Therefore, it is possible to reduce power consumption.
- Furthermore, the present invention can provide the light controlling apparatus that can exhibit a light shielding mode in which a background of the light controlling apparatus is invisible by arranging a coloring member formed of a dye having a color so as to express black or other colors than black.
- Also, the present invention can provide the light controlling apparatus including both of a network and a wall in a liquid crystal unit using two or more different monomers.
- Further, the present invention can improve an effect of scattering light incident from the outside since a liquid crystal can have a state in a more random pattern due to the network positioned in the liquid crystal unit.
- Furthermore, the present invention can improve a shielding rate of the light controlling apparatus by using the wall in the liquid crystal unit to suppress coloring members from being tilted to a specific region and thus to suppress a light leakage caused by coloring members distributed in a non-uniform manner within the liquid crystal unit.
- Also, the present invention can be applied to a flexible display device since a shock applied from the outside can be absorbed due to the wall positioned within a liquid crystal unit.
- Further, the present invention reduces the difference in refractive index by disposing a refractive index matching layer capable of compensating for a difference in refractive index between components in the light controlling apparatus. Thus, the transmittance ratio is improved.
- Furthermore, the present invention can increase the driving reliability by preventing a short occurring within the light controlling apparatus through the wall or the refractive index matching layer.
- Also, the present invention can improve the transmittance ratio of the light controlling apparatus since it can have a homeotropic state in which liquid crystals are perpendicular to an electrode unit.
- The effects of the present invention are not limited to the aforementioned effects, and other various effects are included in the following description.
- The above and other aspects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a transparent mode of a light controlling apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a light shielding mode of the light controlling apparatus illustrated inFIG. 1 .FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a light controlling apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a light controlling apparatus according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a light controlling apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a light controlling apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of an electrode unit illustrated inFIG. 5 .FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a light controlling apparatus according to yet another exemplary embodiment of an electrode unit illustrated inFIG. 5 .FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a light controlling apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a light controlling apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 10a toFIG. 10f are schematic sequence diagrams of a fabricating process of a light controlling apparatus according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention.FIG. 11a is a schematic plan view provided for describing a display device to which a light controlling apparatus is applied according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 11b is a cross-sectional view of the display device taken along a line XI-XI′ ofFIG. 11 a.FIG. 11c andFIG. 11d are cross-sectional views of display devices according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.FIG. 12a is a schematic plan view provided for describing a display device to which a light controlling apparatus is applied according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 12b is a cross-sectional view of the display device taken along a line XII-XII′ ofFIG. 12 a.FIG. 12c is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.- Advantages and features of the present invention, and methods for accomplishing the same will be more clearly understood from exemplary embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following exemplary embodiments but may be implemented in various different forms. The exemplary embodiments are provided only to complete disclosure of the present invention and to fully provide a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains with the category of the invention, and the present invention will be defined by the appended claims.
- The shapes, sizes, ratios, angles, numbers, and the like shown in the accompanying drawings for describing the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Like reference numerals generally denote like elements throughout the present specification. Further, in the following description, a detailed explanation of known related technologies may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the subject matter of the present disclosure.
- The terms such as “including,” “having,” and “containing” used herein are generally intended to allow other components to be added unless the terms are used with the term “only”. Any references to singular may include plural unless expressly stated otherwise.
- Components are interpreted to include an ordinary error range even if not expressly stated.
- When the position relation between two parts is described using the terms such as “on”, “above”, “below”, “next” and the like, one or more parts may be positioned between the two parts unless the terms are used with the term “immediately” or “directly”.
- When the relation in order of time is described using the terms such as “after”, “subsequent to”, “next to”, “before” and the like, discontinuous relations may be included unless the terms are used with the term “immediately” or “directly”.
- Although the terms “first”, “second”, and the like are used for describing various components, these components are not confined by these terms. These terms are merely used for distinguishing one component from the other components. Therefore, a first component to be mentioned below may be a second component in a technical concept of the present invention.
- “X-axis direction”, “Y-axis direction”, and “Z-axis direction” should not be construed only as being in a geometric relationship in which these directions are perpendicular to each other, but may have a wider directionality in a range to which the configuration of the present invention can be functionally applied.
- The term “at least one” should be understood as including all possible combinations which can be suggested from one or more relevant items. For example, the meaning of “at least one among a first item, a second item, and a third item” may be each one among the first item, the second item, or the third item and also be all possible combinations which can be suggested from two or more of the first item, the second item, and the third item.
- The features of various embodiments of the present invention can be partially or entirely laminated to or combined with each other and can be interlocked and operated in technically various ways as can be fully understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art, and the embodiments can be carried out independently of or in association with each other.
- Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- Polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) and polymer networked liquid crystal (PNLC) used as a light controlling apparatus of a transparent display device have a different mixing ratio of monomers and a liquid crystal. Generally, the PDLC has a higher percentage of monomers than the PNLC. Therefore, the PDLC realizes an initial light shielding mode in which an incident light is scattered by a randomly aligned liquid crystal and polymerized monomers in an initial state where a voltage is not applied. Also, the PDLC realizes a transparent mode by transmitting an incident light without scattering when voltage is applied and thus the liquid crystal is vertically aligned. If the PDLC is used as a light controlling apparatus of a transparent display device, voltage needs to be continuously applied for realizing the transparent mode in a standby.
- Accordingly, the inventors of the present invention conducted an experiment on the PNLC which is advantageous in realizing the transparent mode in the initial state where a voltage is not applied since the percentage of monomers is relatively low. However, the PNLC has a lower percentage of polymerized monomers than the PDLC, and, thus, has a low resistance to an external shock. Therefore, a wall for resisting the external shock is needed. However, it is recognized that if a wall is formed, it is difficult to form a network. If a network is formed, it is difficult to form a wall.
- Thus, the inventors of the present invention recognized the above-described problems, and invented a light controlling apparatus having a new structure in which a wall and a network are formed so as to realize a transparent mode and a light shielding mode.
- Details thereof will be described with reference to the following exemplary embodiments.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a transparent mode of a light controlling apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a light shielding mode of the light controlling apparatus illustrated inFIG. 1 .- As illustrated in
FIG. 1 , a lightcontrolling apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes anelectrode unit 110, aliquid crystal unit 120, analignment unit 130, awall 140, anetwork 150, and a spacer. - The
electrode unit 110 includes afirst electrode unit 111 and asecond electrode unit 112 provided to face each other, and theliquid crystal unit 120 is positioned between thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112. Thefirst electrode unit 111 includes asubstrate 111aformed of a transparent material and anelectrode 111bon thesubstrate 111a. Thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112 may have the same configuration, and thesecond electrode unit 112 also includes asubstrate 112aand anelectrode 112bin the same manner as thefirst electrode unit 111. - The
substrate 111aof thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesubstrate 112aof thesecond electrode unit 112 may use, without limitation, a substrate used in manufacturing a general display device or flexible display device. To be more specific, transparent glass-based materials or transparent plastic-based materials may be used as materials of thesubstrates substrates - The
electrode substrate electrodes - Referring to
FIG. 1 , thealignment unit 130 is a member configured to align aliquid crystal 120ain theliquid crystal unit 120 in a homeotropic state as an initial state. In the present specification, the homeotropic state refers to a state where theliquid crystal 120ais perpendicularly aligned to theelectrode unit 110. That is, the homeotropic state refers to a state where along axis 120L of theliquid crystal 120ais perpendicularly aligned to theelectrode unit 110 and ashort axis 120S is horizontally aligned to theelectrode unit 110. - The
alignment unit 130 may be positioned on or under theliquid crystal unit 120. To be specific, thealignment unit 130 includes afirst alignment member 131 between thefirst electrode unit 111 and light theliquid crystal unit 120 and asecond alignment member 132 between thesecond electrode unit 112 and theliquid crystal unit 120. Thefirst alignment member 131 and thesecond alignment member 132 constituting thealignment unit 130 are formed of vertical alignment materials. To be more specific, thealignment unit 130 may be formed of at least one among polyimide-based materials and phosphatidylcholine (PPC)-based materials, but is not limited thereto. In addition, thealignment unit 130 may be formed by mixing a vertical alignment material such as HTAB (hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide) or CTAB (cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide) in a solvent such as isopropyl alcohol (IPA). Then, thealignment unit 130 can be formed by coating the mixture on thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112 and then evaporating the solvent. - Although
FIG. 1 illustrates that thealignment unit 130 is positioned on and under theliquid crystal unit 120, thealignment unit 130 may be positioned either on or under theliquid crystal unit 120. - The
liquid crystal unit 120 is positioned between thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112. To be specific, referring toFIG. 1 , theliquid crystal unit 120 is disposed between thefirst alignment member 131 and thesecond alignment member 132. - The
liquid crystal unit 120 includes theliquid crystal 120a, thewall 140 and thenetwork 150. Theliquid crystal 120amay be at least one among a negative type liquid crystal or a DFLC (dual frequency liquid crystal). Driving methods of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 depending on a kind of theliquid crystal 120awill be described later. - In some exemplary embodiments, monomers for forming a
first polymer 141 and asecond polymer 142 may remain in theliquid crystal unit 120. Details thereof will be described together with thewall 140. - As illustrated in
FIG. 1 , thewall 140 is disposed in the lightcontrolling apparatus 100. To be specific, thewall 140 is between thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112. A position of thewall 140 within thelight controlling apparatus 100 can be freely changed. - The
wall 140 includes thefirst polymer 141 and thesecond polymer 142. Thefirst polymer 141 and thesecond polymer 142 are formed of different monomers formed of transparent materials that transmit light. - Herein, for example, a monomer for forming the
first polymer 141 is an RM (Reactive Mesogen)-based UV hardening monomer, and a monomer for forming thesecond polymer 142 is a Bisphenol A Dimethacrylate-based UV hardening monomer. For example, thefirst polymer 141 and thesecond polymer 142 may be formed by polymerizing different monomers by a UV hardening process. The monomers for forming thefirst polymer 141 and thesecond polymer 142 may be cured at a wavelength range of 350 to 380 nm. A wavelength range of light for hardening the monomers for forming thefirst polymer 141 and thesecond polymer 142 may be determined depending on materials for forming thesubstrates first polymer 141 is a polymer polymerized from a first monomer and thesecond polymer 142 is a polymer polymerized from a second monomer. - The
first polymer 141 is a polymer having a similar shape with theliquid crystal 120a, and may be formed of the first monomer having a similar shape with theliquid crystal 120a. The first polymer is polymerized. Since thefirst polymer 141 polymerized from the first monomer has the same shape as theliquid crystal 120a, it can assist thealignment member 130 in aligning theliquid crystal 120ain a homeotropic state during a UV hardening process. That is, since the first monomer and thefirst polymer 141 polymerized from the first monomer has the same shape as theliquid crystal 120a, it can improve vertical alignment of theliquid crystal 120aduring a UV hardening process. - The
second polymer 142 is a polymer having a different shape from theliquid crystal 120a, and may be formed of the second monomer having a different shape from theliquid crystal 120a. In some embodiments, thesecond polymer 142 is a polymer having a random shape, and may be formed of the second monomer having various shapes. Since thesecond polymer 142 has a random shape, it can assist theliquid crystal 120anot to be aligned in one direction but to be aligned in a random manner in a light shielding mode of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100. That is, thesecond polymer 142 polymerized from the second monomer has various shapes, theliquid crystal 120acan be aligned in various directions during a light shielding mode of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100. Thus, scattering of light caused by theliquid crystal 120amay be increased. - The
wall 140 including thefirst polymer 141 and thesecond polymer 142 formed of different monomers can protect the inside of theliquid crystal unit 120 against an external force. Therefore, thelight controlling apparatus 100 including the above-describedwall 140 can be applied to a flexible transparent display device. Further, thewall 140 can maintain a cell gap h of theliquid crystal unit 120 and also prevent a short caused by a contact between thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112 when an external force is applied to the lightcontrolling apparatus 100. Furthermore, thewall 140 can block the inside of theliquid crystal unit 120 by dividing an internal space of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100. Also, theliquid crystal unit 120 may be formed by forming theliquid crystal 120ain each space defined by the wall. - A wavelength range of light for curing the first monomer for forming the
first polymer 141 is the same as a wavelength range of light for curing the second monomer for forming thesecond monomer 142. Thus, thefirst polymer 141 and thesecond polymer 142 may have substantially the same percentage in thewall 140. That is, since the first monomer for forming the first polymer and the second monomer for forming thesecond monomer 142 reacts with light in the same wavelength range, an amount of thefirst polymer 141 and an amount of thesecond polymer 142 cured in the same process may be substantially the same. Thus, thefirst polymer 141 and thesecond polymer 142 may have substantially the same percentage in thewall 140. - In some exemplary embodiments, the monomers for forming the
first polymer 141 and thesecond polymer 142 may remain in thewall 140 and theliquid crystal unit 120. If the monomers remain in a final product, the monomers become a polymer as time goes on, and, thus, the properties of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 may be changed. Therefore, the monomers may be cured with a polymer. However, the monomers for forming thefirst polymer 141 and thesecond polymer 142 may remain in thewall 140 and theliquid crystal unit 120 due to various factors in a fabricating process. - As illustrated in
FIG. 1 , thenetwork 150 is disposed in the lightcontrolling apparatus 100. To be specific, thenetwork 150 is disposed between thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode 112. A position of thenetwork 150 in the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 can be freely changed. Thenetwork 150 is distributed in a net shape in theliquid crystal unit 120. Therefore, when an electric field is applied to theliquid crystal unit 120 and a state of theliquid crystal 120ain theliquid crystal unit 120 is changed, theliquid crystal 120aaround thenetwork 150 is changed with a random tilt angle rather than being in a planar state. Herein, the planar state refers to a state where theshort axis 120S of theliquid crystal 120ais aligned perpendicularly to theelectrode unit 110 and thelong axis 120L is aligned horizontally to theelectrode unit 110. The change of a state of theliquid crystal 120acaused by application of an electric field to theliquid crystal unit 120 will be described later with reference toFIG. 2 . - The
network 150 includes two polymers like the above-describedwall 140. The two polymers may be formed of the same materials as thefirst polymer 141 and thesecond polymer 142, respectively. That is, the two polymers having thenetwork 150 are formed of different monomers formed of transparent materials that transmit light. For example, a monomer for forming thefirst polymer 141 is an RM (Reactive Mesogen)-based UV hardening monomer, and a monomer for forming thesecond polymer 142 is a Bisphenol A Dimethacrylate-based UV curable monomer. Herein, an RM (Reactive Mesogen)-based monomer may be a material having a rod-like liquid crystalline state. An end group of an RM (Reactive Mesogen)-based monomer can be polymerized with ultraviolet (UV) rays or heat. An end group which can be polymerized with UV may be at least one among acrylate, ethylene, acetylene, and styrene, but is not limited thereto. Further, an end group which can be polymerized with heat may be at least one among oxetane or epoxy, but is not limited thereto. - Since the
network 150 is formed of the same polymers as thefirst polymer 141 and thesecond polymer 142, thefirst polymer 141 of the two polymers included in thenetwork 150 can assist alignment of theliquid crystal 120ain a homeotropic state during a UV hardening process. Also, thesecond polymer 142 can assist theliquid crystal 120anot to be aligned in a specific direction but to be aligned in a random manner while the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 is driven. Further, a wavelength range of light for hardening the monomer for forming thefirst polymer 141 is the same as a wavelength range of light for hardening the monomer for forming thesecond monomer 142. Thefirst polymer 141 and thesecond polymer 142 may have substantially the same percentage in thenetwork 150. - In some exemplary embodiments, the monomers for forming the
first polymer 141 and thesecond polymer 142 may remain in thenetwork 150 in the same manner as thewall 140. - Although not illustrated in
FIG. 1 , the spacer may be positioned between thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112. To be more specific, the spacer may be disposed on thefirst electrode unit 111, thesecond electrode unit 112 or both thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112. The spacer may have a ball shape or an elongated shape, but a shape of the spacer is not limited thereto. The spacer is dispersed in a liquid crystal unit and determines the cell gap h of theliquid crystal unit 120 and also supports the cell gap h. The spacer may be formed of a silica (SiO2)-based material. - To be more specific, during the fabricating process of the light
controlling apparatus 100, after thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112 are laminated to each other, theliquid crystal 120afor forming theliquid crystal unit 120 is injected between thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112. At this time, the spacer is positioned between thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112 in order to maintain the cell gap. Then thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112 are laminated or assembled to each other. At this time, the cell gap h of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 is determined and a height of the above-describedwall 140 is also determined depending on a size (height) and the number of the spacers. - Hereinafter, driving methods of a transparent mode and a light shielding mode of the light
controlling apparatus 100 will be described with reference toFIG. 1 andFIG. 2 . - As illustrated in
FIG. 1 , theliquid crystal 120ain theliquid crystal unit 120 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 is in a homeotropic state as an initial state. Thus, thelight controlling apparatus 100 exhibits a transparent mode in which a light incident from the outside is transmitted. Herein, the initial state refers to a state where an electric field is not applied to theliquid crystal unit 120 constituting the lightcontrolling apparatus 100. It also refers to a state where voltages are not applied to thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112 constituting theelectrode unit 110. - To be more specific, during the fabricating process of the light
controlling apparatus 100, theliquid crystal 120ain theliquid crystal unit 120 is already aligned in a homeotropic state by thealignment unit 130, and thefirst polymers 141 in thewall 140 and thenetwork 150. Therefore, in the initial state, a light incident from the outside passes through theliquid crystal unit 120. Thus, thelight controlling apparatus 100 exhibits a transparent mode. - In other words, since the
liquid crystal 120ain theliquid crystal unit 120 is cured in a homeotropic state by thefirst polymers 141 in thewall 140 and thenetwork 150, and thealignment unit 130, theliquid crystal 120ain theliquid crystal unit 120 can maintain the homeotropic state in the initial state. Therefore, since the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 has a state that transmits light incident from the outside in the initial state, the transparent mode can be realized in the initial state. Therefore, it is possible to reduce power consumption of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100. - Then, as illustrated in
FIG. 2 , if an electric field is applied to theliquid crystal unit 120 by supplying voltages to the first andsecond electrode units controlling apparatus 100, theliquid crystal 120ain light theliquid crystal unit 120 is changed to be aligned from the homeotropic state to a random state including the planar state. The random state including the planar state refers to a state in which if an electric field is applied to theliquid crystal unit 120 and a state of theliquid crystal 120ais changed, most of theliquid crystals 120aare changed to the planar state. But theliquid crystal 120aadjacent to thenetwork 150 has a state having a random tilt angle by the polymers in thenetwork 150. Further, the random tilt angle means an angle which is not previously determined but randomly determined. - To be specific, if the
liquid crystal 120ais a negative type liquid crystal, theshort axis 120S of theliquid crystal 120ais moved in a direction of an electric field. Therefore, when a vertical electric field is formed by supplying voltages to thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112, where theliquid crystal 120acan be changed to be aligned from the homeotropic state to the random state including the planar state. Herein, a difference in voltage applied to thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112 is 5 V or more, but is not limited thereto. - Further, if the
liquid crystal 120ais a DFLC of which a state is converted using a frequency, voltages having predetermined frequencies are applied to thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112. For example, when certain voltages having frequencies of 10 KHz to 1 MHz are supplied, theliquid crystal 120acan be changed to be aligned from the homeotropic state to the random state including the planar state. However, the frequency is not limited thereto. - As described above, if voltages are applied to the
first electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112 and a state of theliquid crystal 120ain theliquid crystal unit 120 is changed, most of theliquid crystals 120aare changed from the homeotropic state to the planar state. However, theliquid crystal 120aadjacent to thenetwork 150 is aligned with a random tilt angle rather than being aligned in the planar state. That is, since thenetwork 150 includes the second polymer having a random shape, theliquid crystal 120aadjacent to thenetwork 150 is in a random manner with a random tilt angle by the second polymer in thenetwork 150 in a light shielding mode. Therefore, in the light shielding mode, theliquid crystal 120aaligned in the planar sate in theliquid crystal unit 120 and also theliquid crystal 120aaligned in a random manner with a random tilt angle scatter light. Therefore, theliquid crystal 120ain theliquid crystal unit 120 is changed to be aligned from the homeotropic state to the random state including the planar state and thus scatters light. Meanwhile, since thewall 140 also includes thesecond polymer 142, theliquid crystal 120aadjacent to thewall 140 may be aligned in a random manner with a random tilt angle. However, thewall 140 has a much greater surface area than thenetwork 150. Thus, theliquid crystal 120aadjacent to thewall 140 may be less tilted than theliquid crystal 120aadjacent to thenetwork 150. - Therefore, if light is incident from the outside to the
liquid crystal unit 120 in the light shielding mode, the light is scattered in theliquid crystal unit 120 since theliquid crystal 120ain theliquid crystal unit 120 maintains the random state. - Through the above-described process, if the
liquid crystal unit 120 exhibits the light shielding mode, an opaque milky color, for example, an opaque white- or gray-based color is displayed. Therefore, a background of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 is invisible. - A method for converting the light shielding mode of the light
controlling apparatus 100 to the transparent mode as illustrated inFIG. 1 is as follows. If theliquid crystal 120ain theliquid crystal unit 120 is a negative type liquid crystal, when the voltages supplied to thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 are blocked, theliquid crystal 120ain theliquid crystal unit 120 is changed from the random state to the homeotropic state, and, thus, thelight controlling apparatus 100 is converted into the transparent mode. - Further, if the
liquid crystal unit 120 is a DFLC, when the voltages supplied to thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 are blocked or voltages having predetermined frequencies are supplied, theliquid crystal 120ain theliquid crystal unit 120 is changed from the random state to the homeotropic state, and, thus, thelight controlling apparatus 100 is converted into the transparent mode. - Therefore, the
light controlling apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can maintain the transparent mode in an initial state where voltages are not applied to thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112. Also, thelight controlling apparatus 100 can maintain the light shielding mode if voltages are applied to thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112. Therefore, since the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 can maintain the transparent mode in an initial state and also maintain the light shielding mode if necessary, power consumption of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 can be reduced. Thus, thelight controlling apparatus 100 can be used as a glass window or a smart window in public facilities. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a light controlling apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the present exemplary embodiment, descriptions about components identical or corresponding to those of the above-described exemplary embodiment will be omitted. Hereinafter, referring toFIG. 3 , a lightcontrolling apparatus 200 according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described.- As illustrated in
FIG. 3 , thelight controlling apparatus 200 includes anelectrode unit 210, aliquid crystal unit 220, analignment unit 230, awall 240, anetwork 250, a spacer, and acoloring member 270. To be more specific, theelectrode unit 210, theliquid crystal unit 220, thealignment unit 230, thewall 240, thenetwork 250, and the spacer constituting the lightcontrolling apparatus 200 of the present exemplary embodiment are respectively identical to theelectrode unit 110, theliquid crystal unit 120, thealignment unit 130, thewall 140, thenetwork 150, and the spacer constituting the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 described above with reference toFIG. 1 andFIG. 2 . Therefore, redundant descriptions on the components described above with reference toFIG. 1 andFIG. 2 will be omitted. - Referring to
FIG. 3 , thelight controlling apparatus 200 according to the present exemplary embodiment further includes thecoloring member 270 in theliquid crystal unit 220. - To be more specific, the
coloring member 270 may be formed of a dye having at least one color of black, red, green, blue, and yellow or a combination color thereof. - If the
coloring member 270 is formed of a black-based dye and the lightcontrolling apparatus 200 is driven in a light shielding mode, light scattered by aliquid crystal 220ain theliquid crystal unit 220 and thenetwork 250 is finally absorbed by thecoloring member 270. Thus, thelight controlling apparatus 200 can exhibits the light shielding mode showing black and can maintain a black state. - Further, if the light
controlling apparatus 200 is combined with a transparent display panel, thelight controlling apparatus 200 needs to exhibit the light shielding mode which displays black while the transparent display panel is driven in order to provide a high image visibility to a user. In this case, thecoloring member 270 may have a black color. - Further, as described above, if the
coloring member 270 is formed of a dye having at least one color of black, red, green, blue, and yellow or a combination color thereof, thelight controlling apparatus 200 can display a color of thecoloring member 270 in the light shielding mode. Thus, thelight controlling apparatus 200 according to the present exemplary embodiment can display various colors instead of black-based colors and also shield a background during the light shielding mode. Therefore, since the lightcontrolling apparatus 200 according to the present exemplary embodiment can provide various colors during the light shielding mode, it is possible to provide an aesthetic effect to the user. For example, if the lightcontrolling apparatus 200 is used in a public place, thelight controlling apparatus 200 can be applied to a smart window or a public window in need of a transparent mode and a light shielding mode. Further, thelight controlling apparatus 200 can display various colors depending on time or place and also shield light. - Further, the
coloring member 270 is affected by a direction of theliquid crystal 220aand its alignment is changed. That is, since thecoloring member 270 in an initial state is perpendicularly to the first electrode unit211 or thesecond electrode unit 212 according to theliquid crystal 220aof theliquid crystal unit 220, as along axis 270L of thecoloring member 270 is longer and ashort axis 270S thereof is shorter, a high transmittance ratio can be maintained during a transparent mode. Also, a high light shielding ratio can be maintained during alight shielding mode. - To be more specific, referring to
FIG. 3 , since theliquid crystal 220ais aligned perpendicularly to the first electrode unit211 or thesecond electrode unit 212 in an initial state where an electric field is not applied, thecoloring member 270 is also aligned in a homeotropic state where thecoloring member 270 is perpendicular to the first electrode unit211 or thesecond electrode unit 212. Therefore, light reaches theshort axis 270S having a smaller length than thelong axis 270L of thecoloring member 270 in the initial state where an electric field is not applied. Thus, an amount of light absorbed by theliquid crystal unit 220 is very small and most of the light is transmitted through theliquid crystal unit 220. Therefore, thelight controlling apparatus 200 can exhibit a transparent mode in which a transparent mode is maintained. - That is, in a state where an electric field is not applied to the
liquid crystal unit 220, theliquid crystal 220ain theliquid crystal unit 220 transmits light. At this time, the light reaches a very small area of thecoloring member 270. Thus, thelight controlling apparatus 200 can maintain a transparent mode. - Further, if the light
controlling apparatus 200 exhibits a light shielding mode, thecoloring member 270 lies according to a lying direction of the adjacentliquid crystal 220a(i.e., alignment direction of theliquid crystal 220a) affected by an electric field. An alignment direction of thecoloring member 270 is changed since theliquid crystal 220ais in a liquid state and thecoloring member 270 is in a solid state or a state close to a solid. As a result, alignment of thesolid coloring member 270 is changed according to a flowing direction of the liquid (i.e., a direction in which a state of theliquid crystal 220ais changed). That is, in a state where the electric field illustrated inFIG. 2 is applied, theliquid crystal 220ais aligned in a random state including a planar state having a random tilt angle. Thus, thecoloring member 270 may be affected by the adjacentliquid crystal 220aand may be aligned in a planar state or may be aligned in a random manner. For example, theliquid crystal 220alies in an X-direction, theadjacent coloring member 270 lies in the X-direction along theliquid crystal 220aand thelong axis 270L of thecoloring member 270 is aligned in parallel with the first andsecond electrode units 211 and212. Further, theliquid crystal 220alies in a Y-direction, theadjacent coloring member 270 lies in the Y-direction along theliquid crystal 220aand thelong axis 270L of thecoloring member 270 is aligned in parallel with the first andsecond electrode units 211 and212. Furthermore, thecoloring member 270 around thenetwork 250 may be aligned in a random manner with a random tilt angle in the same manner as theliquid crystal 220aaround thenetwork 250. That is, when an electric field is formed in theliquid crystal unit 220 and a state of theliquid crystal 220ain theliquid crystal unit 220 is changed, thecoloring member 270 around thenetwork 250 is aligned in a random manner with a random tilt angle rather than being aligned in a planar state. Therefore, a light scattered by theliquid crystal 220aand thenetwork 250 reaches thelong axis 270L having a greater length than theshort axis 270S of thecoloring member 270. At this time, the light reaches a very large area of thecoloring member 270. Thus, most of the light is absorbed by thecoloring member 270. Therefore, thelight controlling apparatus 200 can be in a light shielding mode in which a light shielding mode is maintained while displaying color held in thecoloring member 270. - Since the
wall 240 is formed in theliquid crystal unit 220, it is possible to prevent the concentration of the inside of theliquid crystal unit 220, i.e., thecoloring member 270 mixed together with theliquid crystal 220a, in a specific region. To be more specific, the inside of theliquid crystal unit 220 is divided into several sections (or regions) by thewall 240. Also, thecoloring member 270 positioned in each section cannot be moved to another section. If thewall 240 is not present in theliquid crystal unit 220, thecoloring member 270 may be moved in theliquid crystal unit 270 depending on an external pressure or a implementation state of the lightcontrolling apparatus 200. Therefore, in a state where thecoloring member 270 is not uniformly distributed in the entireliquid crystal unit 220, if the lightcontrolling apparatus 200 exhibits a light shielding mode, a light leakage may occur at some regions. However, in the lightcontrolling apparatus 200 of the present exemplary embodiment having a structure in which thewall 240 is disposed in theliquid crystal unit 220 and thecoloring member 270 is positioned in a section formed by thewall 240, movement of the coloring member280 is very limited. Further, thelight controlling apparatus 200 can exhibit a light shielding mode in an overall uniform manner. Thus, in the light shielding mode of the lightcontrolling apparatus 200, the light shielding ratio can be increased. - A weight ratio of the
coloring member 270 can be determined depending on a kind of a display device to which thelight controlling apparatus 200 is applied. For example, if the lightcontrolling apparatus 200 is a transparent display device placed indoors, it is important that the lightcontrolling apparatus 200 has a high transmittance ratio in a transparent mode. Therefore, preferably, thecoloring member 270 may have a relatively low weight ratio. Further, if the lightcontrolling apparatus 200 is a transparent display device placed outdoors, it is important that the lightcontrolling apparatus 200 has a high shielding ratio in alight shielding mode. Therefore, preferably, thecoloring member 270 may have a relatively high weight ratio. In some exemplary embodiments, thecoloring member 270 may have a weight ratio of 1 wt %, but is not limited thereto. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a light controlling apparatus according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the present exemplary embodiment, descriptions on components identical or corresponding to those of the above-described exemplary embodiments will be omitted. Hereinafter, referring toFIG. 4 , a light controlling apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described.- As illustrated in
FIG. 4 , alightcontrolling apparatus 300 includes anelectrode unit 310, aliquid crystal unit 320, analignment unit 330, a wall340, anetwork 350, a spacer, acoloring member 370, and a refractiveindex matching layer 380. To be more specific, theelectrode unit 310, theliquid crystal unit 320, thealignment unit 330, the wall340, thenetwork 350, and the spacer constituting the lightcontrolling apparatus 300 of the present exemplary embodiment are respectively identical to theelectrode unit 110, theliquid crystal unit 120, thealignment unit 130, thewall 140, thenetwork 150, and the spacer constituting the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 described above with reference toFIG. 1 andFIG. 2 . Further, thecoloring member 370 constituting the lightcontrolling apparatus 300 is identical to thecoloring member 270 described above with reference toFIG. 3 . Therefore, redundant descriptions about the components described above with reference toFIG. 1 toFIG. 3 will be omitted. - Referring to
FIG. 4 , thelight controlling apparatus 300 further includes the refractiveindex matching layer 380. As illustrated inFIG. 4 , the refractiveindex matching layer 380 is positioned in theelectrode unit 310. To be more specific, the refractiveindex matching layer 380 is positioned between asubstrate 311aand anelectrode 311bin afirst electrode unit 311 and between asubstrate 312aand anelectrode 312bin asecond electrode unit 312. - Otherwise, the refractive
index matching layer 380 may be positioned between theelectrode unit 310 and thealignment unit 330. For example, the refractiveindex matching layer 380 may be positioned between theelectrode 311bconstituting thefirst electrode unit 311 and afirst alignment member 331 constituting thealignment unit 330. Or, the refractiveindex matching layer 380 may be positioned between theelectrode 312bconstituting thesecond electrode unit 312 and asecond alignment member 332 constituting thealignment unit 330. - Further, the refractive
index matching layer 380 may be positioned between thealignment unit 330 and theliquid crystal unit 320. To be more specific, the refractiveindex matching layer 380 may be positioned between theliquid crystal unit 320 and thefirst alignment member 331 and/or between theliquid crystal unit 320 and thesecond alignment member 332. - That is, the refractive
index matching layer 380 is positioned between the components having a difference in refractive index among the components constituting the lightcontrolling apparatus 300, so that light incident from the outside can pass through the inside of the lightcontrolling apparatus 300 without having much loss possible. - The refractive
index matching layer 380 may be formed of at least one among a polymer, an OCA (optical clear adhesive) as one among optical transparent adhesives, and an organic compound adhesive such as a thermally or UV curable organic polymer compound, and has a refractive index of 1.3 to 1.9. Thefirst electrode unit 311 and thesecond electrode unit 312 constituting the lightcontrolling apparatus 300 of the present invention may have a refractive index in the range of 1.6 to 1.8. Also, aliquid crystal 320ain theliquid crystal unit 320 may have a refractive index in the range of 1.3 to 1.6. For example, thesubstrates substrates alignment unit 330 may be configured to be identical in a refractive index to theliquid crystal 320ain theliquid crystal unit 320. - As such, each component constituting the light
controlling apparatus 300 may have a different refractive index. If the refractiveindex matching layer 380 is adapted, a difference in refractive index can be compensated. That is, the refractiveindex matching layer 380 offsets a difference in refractive index within thefirst electrode unit 311 and a difference in refractive index within thesecond electrode unit 312. Thus, light incident from the outside can pass through the inside of the lightcontrolling apparatus 300 without having much loss. - Therefore, while the light
controlling apparatus 300 maintains a transparent mode in a transparent mode, an improved transmittance ratio can be provided to the user. Further, while the lightcontrolling apparatus 300 maintains a shielding state in a light shielding mode, an improved shielding ratio can be provided to the user. - Hereinafter, there will be described an example where the light
controlling apparatus 300 exhibits a transparent mode. - In a state where an electric field is not applied to the
liquid crystal 320ain theliquid crystal unit 320, when light passing through thesubstrate 311aof thefirst electrode unit 311 is incident into theelectrode 311b, the light can be scattered in a direction to thesubstrate 311adue to a difference in refractive index between thesubstrate 311aand theelectrode 311b. Further, when light passing through thefirst alignment member 331 is incident into theliquid crystal unit 320, the light can be scattered in a direction to thefirst electrode 311 due to a difference in refractive index. Furthermore, when light passing through theliquid crystal unit 320 and thealignment unit 330 passes through thesecond electrode unit 312, the light can be scattered again in a direction to theliquid crystal unit 320 due to a difference in refractive index between theelectrode 312band thesubstrate 312a. As such, if the lightcontrolling apparatus 300 is in a transparent mode, light is scattered due to a difference in refractive index between components. Also, a part of the light cannot pass through the lightcontrolling apparatus 300. Thus, the transmittance ratio of the lightcontrolling apparatus 300 may be decreased. - Meanwhile, if the refractive
index matching layer 380 is disposed in the lightcontrolling apparatus 300 in consideration of a difference in refractive index between the components, when a light passes through the lightcontrolling apparatus 300 while the lightcontrolling apparatus 300 exhibits a transparent mode, the light is not scattered. That is, differences in refractive index between thesubstrates electrodes electrode unit 310 and thealignment unit 330, and a difference in refractive index between theliquid crystal unit 320 and thealignment unit 330 can be reduced by the refractiveindex matching layer 380. Therefore, while the lightcontrolling apparatus 300 exhibits a transparent mode, light incident from the outside can pass through the inside of the lightcontrolling apparatus 300 without having much loss. Thus, a high transmittance ratio can be provided to the user. - Further, even when the light
controlling apparatus 300 is in a light shielding mode, unnecessary scattering for shielding occurs due to a difference in refractive index between the components. Thus, a light scattering ratio and a light shielding ratio may be decreased. Meanwhile, if the refractiveindex matching layer 380 is disposed in the lightcontrolling apparatus 300 in consideration of a difference in refractive index between the components, while the lightcontrolling apparatus 300 exhibits a light shielding mode, a scattered light is moved in a direction to theliquid crystal unit 320 without having much loss. Also, most of the light reaches thecoloring member 370. Thus, a high light shielding ratio can be provided to the user. - Furthermore, as described above, since the refractive
index matching layer 380 may be formed of at least one among a polymer, an OCA (optical clear adhesive) as one among optical transparent adhesives, and an organic compound adhesive such as a thermally or UV curable organic polymer compound, it is possible to prevent a short which may occur in the lightcontrolling apparatus 300. To be more specific, an impurity may be mixed with theliquid crystal 320ain theliquid crystal unit 320 during a fabricating process of the lightcontrolling apparatus 300. The impurity may serve as a conductor that enables electric connection between theelectrode 311aof thefirst electrode unit 311 and theelectrode 312aof thesecond electrode unit 312. Thus, a short may occur between theelectrode 311aand theelectrode 312ain the lightcontrolling apparatus 300. - However, since the refractive
index matching layer 380 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is formed of the above-described material, it can serve as an insulator. Therefore, the refractiveindex matching layer 380 can prevent occurrence of a short in the lightcontrolling apparatus 300 and thus can increase the driving reliability of the lightcontrolling apparatus 300. - Therefore, the refractive
index matching layer 380 can improve transmittance ratio and a light shielding ratio of the lightcontrolling apparatus 300 and also increase the driving reliability of the lightcontrolling apparatus 300. - In some embodiments, the refractive index matching layer may not be adapted.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a light controlling apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a light controlling apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of an electrode unit illustrated inFIG. 5 . In the present exemplary embodiment, descriptions on components identical or corresponding to those of the above-described exemplary embodiments will be omitted. Hereinafter, referring toFIG. 5 andFIG. 6 , a light controlling apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described.- As illustrated in
FIG. 5 andFIG. 6 , a lightcontrolling apparatus 400 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes anelectrode unit 410, aliquid crystal unit 420, analignment unit 430, awall 440, anetwork 450, and a spacer. To be more specific, thealignment unit 430, thewall 440, thenetwork 450, and the spacer constituting the lightcontrolling apparatus 400 of the present exemplary embodiment are respectively identical to thealignment unit 130, thewall 140, thenetwork 150, and the spacer constituting the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 described above with reference toFIG. 1 andFIG. 2 . Therefore, redundant descriptions on the components described above with reference toFIG. 1 toFIG. 2 will be omitted. - The
liquid crystal unit 420 includes aliquid crystal 420a. Theliquid crystal 420aconstituting theliquid crystal unit 420 may include one among a positive type liquid crystal or a DFLC. A driving method of the lightcontrolling apparatus 400 depending on a kind of theliquid crystal 420awill be described later. - As illustrated in
FIG. 5 , theelectrode unit 410 constituting the lightcontrolling apparatus 400 includes afirst electrode unit 411 and asecond electrode unit 412 provided to face each other, and theliquid crystal unit 420 may be positioned between thefirst electrode unit 411 and thesecond electrode unit 412. Thefirst electrode unit 411 includes asubstrate 411aformed of a transparent material and anelectrode 411bon thesubstrate 411a. Theelectrode 411bincludes a plurality of patterned electrodes. Further, thesecond electrode unit 412 also includes asubstrate 412aand anelectrode 412bin the same manner as thefirst electrode unit 411. Theelectrode 412bincludes a plurality of patterned electrodes. Further, theelectrodes electrodes - Also, the patterned
electrodes second electrode units liquid crystal 420ain theliquid crystal unit 420. Herein, as illustrated inFIG. 5 , if all of the first andsecond electrode units electrodes second electrode units liquid crystal 420ais generated. Thus, even if a low voltage is applied, theliquid crystal 420acan be easily changed from a homeotropic state to a random state, as compared with a case where the patternedelectrodes electrodes electrodes patterned electrode electrodes electrodes electrodes electrodes electrodes electrodes electrodes pattern electrodes substrates substrates FIG. 1 . Further, materials of theelectrodes second electrode units electrodes FIG. 1 . - Otherwise, a patterned electrode may be formed in only one among the
first electrode unit 411 or thesecond electrode unit 412. In this case, thefirst electrode unit 411 may include a patterned electrode, and thesecond electrode unit 412 may include a non-patterned electrode. Alternatively, thefirst electrode unit 411 may include a non-patterned electrode, and thesecond electrode unit 412 may include a patterned electrode. Herein, a driving method of an electrode unit including a patterned electrode is the same as described above. Thus redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. - Hereinafter, driving methods of a transparent mode and a light shielding mode of the light
controlling apparatus 400 illustrated inFIG. 5 will be described. - Referring to
FIG. 5 , theliquid crystal 420ain theliquid crystal unit 420 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 400 is in a homeotropic state as an initial state regardless of whether theliquid crystal 420ais a positive type liquid crystal or a DFLC. Thus in the initial state, thelight controlling apparatus 400 exhibits a transparent mode in which a light incident from the outside is transmitted. - To be more specific, during a fabricating process of the light
controlling apparatus 400, theliquid crystal 420ain theliquid crystal unit 420 is already aligned in a homeotropic state by thealignment unit 430 andfirst polymers 441 included in thewall 440 and thenetwork 450. Therefore, in the initial state, a light incident from the outside passes through theliquid crystal unit 420, and the lightcontrolling apparatus 400 exhibits a transparent mode in which a background is visible. - Then, if an electric field is applied to the
liquid crystal unit 420 by supplying voltages to the first andsecond electrode units controlling apparatus 400, theliquid crystal 420ain theliquid crystal unit 420 is changed to be aligned from the homeotropic state to a random state including a planar state with a random tilt angle. - To be specific, if the
liquid crystal 420ain theliquid crystal unit 420 is a positive type liquid crystal, the long axis of theliquid crystal 420ais moved in a direction to an electric field. Therefore, when a horizontal electric field is applied by supplying voltages to thefirst electrode unit 411 and thesecond electrode unit 412, theliquid crystal 420acan be changed to be aligned from the homeotropic state to the random state including the planar state with a random tilt angle. To be specific, eachpatterned electrode 411bof thefirst electrode unit 411 is configured to be applied with a voltage having a different polarity from the adjacentpatterned electrode 411b. Also, eachpatterned electrode 412bof thesecond electrode unit 412 is configured to be applied with a voltage having a different polarity from the adjacentpatterned electrode 412b. For example, if a positive (+) voltage is applied to at least one patterned electrode, a negative (−) voltage may be applied to a patterned electrode adjacent to the patterned electrode. Herein, a difference in voltage applied to the adjacent patterned electrodes is 5 V or more, but is not limited thereto. - Further, if the
liquid crystal 420ain theliquid crystal unit 420 is a DFLC of which a state is converted using a frequency, voltages having predetermined frequencies are applied to thefirst electrode unit 411 and thesecond electrode unit 412. For example, when certain driving voltages having frequencies of 10 KHz to 1 MHz are supplied, theliquid crystal 420acan be changed to be aligned from the homeotropic state to the random state including the planar state with a random tilt angle. However, the frequency of the voltages is not limited thereto. - Accordingly, if light is incident from the outside to the
liquid crystal unit 420, since theliquid crystal 420ain theliquid crystal unit 420 maintains a random state with a random tilt angle, the light is scattered within theliquid crystal unit 420. As described above, since thenetwork 450 is provided within theliquid crystal unit 420, the light is more scattered randomly in theliquid crystal unit 420. Through the above-described process, if theliquid crystal unit 420 exhibits the light shielding mode, an opaque milky color, for example, an opaque white- or gray-based color is displayed. Therefore, the light incident from the outside can be shielded. - Further, a method for converting the light shielding mode to the transparent mode is as follows. If the
liquid crystal 420ain theliquid crystal unit 420 is a positive type liquid crystal, when the voltages supplied to thefirst electrode unit 411 and thesecond electrode unit 412 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 400 are blocked, theliquid crystal 420ain theliquid crystal unit 420 is changed from the random state with a random tilt angle to the homeotropic state. Thus, thelight controlling apparatus 400 is converted into the transparent mode. - Further, if the
liquid crystal unit 420 is a DFLC, when the voltages supplied to thefirst electrode unit 411 and thesecond electrode unit 412 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 400 are blocked or voltages having predetermined frequencies are supplied, theliquid crystal 420ain theliquid crystal unit 420 is changed from the random state with a random tilt angle to the homeotropic state. Thus, thelight controlling apparatus 400 is converted into the transparent mode. - Referring to
FIG. 6 showing a cross-sectional view of a light controlling apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the electrode unit, thefirst electrode unit 411 and thesecond electrode unit 412 constituting theelectrode unit 410 may further includecommon electrodes layers - To be specific, as illustrated in
FIG. 6 , if thefirst electrode unit 411 includes thesubstrate 411a, the plurality of patternedelectrodes 411b, thecommon electrode 411c, and the insulatinglayer 411d, thecommon electrode 411cis positioned on thesubstrate 411a, the insulatinglayer 411dis positioned on thecommon electrode 411c, and the patternedelectrodes 411bare positioned on the insulatinglayer 411d. As illustrated inFIG. 6 , thecommon electrode 411cmay be formed on the entire region of thesubstrate 411aor may be patterned as a unit of a specific region. Therefore, thecommon electrode 411cmay be disposed so as to overlap with thefirst electrodes 411bof a plurality of patterned electrodes. The insulatinglayer 411dmay be formed of an inorganic insulating material such as a silicon nitride or silicon oxide including SiNx, SiOx, etc., but is not necessarily limited thereto. In addition, the insulatinglayer 411dmay be formed of an organic insulating material such as photo acryl or benzocyclobutene (BCB). - Further, if the
second electrode unit 412 includes thesubstrate 412a, the plurality of patternedelectrodes 412b, thecommon electrode 412c, and the insulatinglayer 412d, thecommon electrode 412cis positioned under thesubstrate 412a, the insulatinglayer 412dis positioned under thecommon electrode 412c, and the patternedelectrodes 412bare positioned under the insulatinglayer 412d. As illustrated inFIG. 6 , thecommon electrode 412cmay be formed on the entire region of thesubstrate 412aor may be patterned as a unit of a specific region. Therefore, thecommon electrode 412cmay be disposed so as to overlap with the plurality of patternedelectrodes 412b. The insulatinglayer 412dof thesecond electrode unit 412 may be formed of the same material as the insulatingmaterial 411dof thefirst electrode unit 411. - Hereinafter, driving methods of a transparent mode and a light shielding mode of the light
controlling apparatus 400 illustrated inFIG. 6 will be described. - Referring to
FIG. 6 , theliquid crystal 420ain theliquid crystal unit 420 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 400 is in a homeotropic state as an initial state regardless of whether theliquid crystal 420ais a positive type liquid crystal or a DFLC. Thus, in the initial state, thelight controlling apparatus 400 exhibits a transparent mode in which a light incident from the outside is transmitted. - Then, if an electric field is applied to the
liquid crystal unit 420 by supplying voltages to the first andsecond electrode units controlling apparatus 400, theliquid crystal 420ain theliquid crystal unit 420 is changed to be aligned from the homeotropic state to the random state including a planar state with a random tilt angle. - To be specific, if the
liquid crystal 420ain theliquid crystal unit 420 is a positive type liquid crystal, the long axis of theliquid crystal 420ais moved in a direction to an electric field. Therefore, when a horizontal electric field is applied by supplying voltages to thefirst electrode unit 411 and thesecond electrode unit 412, theliquid crystal 420acan be changed to be aligned from the homeotropic state to the random state including the planar state with a random tilt angle. To be specific, eachpatterned electrode 411bof thefirst electrode unit 411 is configured to be applied with a voltage having a different polarity from thecommon electrode 411c. Also, eachpatterned electrode 412bof thesecond electrode unit 412 is configured to be applied with a voltage having a different polarity from thecommon electrode 412c. Thus, a horizontal electric field is applied to the patternedelectrode 411band thecommon electrode 411cof thefirst electrode unit 411 and a horizontal electric field is applied to the patternedelectrode 412bof thecommon electrode 412cof thesecond electrode unit 412. For example, if a positive (+) voltage is applied to the patternedelectrodes common electrodes patterned electrode 411bof thefirst electrode unit 411 and thecommon electrode 411c. A horizontal electric field is applied to theliquid crystal unit 420, and a voltage difference is formed between thepatterned electrode 412bof thesecond electrode unit 412 and thecommon electrode 412c. A horizontal electric field is applied to theliquid crystal unit 420. Also, the patternedelectrodes - Further, if the
liquid crystal 420ain theliquid crystal unit 420 is a DFLC of which a state is converted using a frequency, voltages having predetermined frequencies are applied to thefirst electrode unit 411 and thesecond electrode unit 412. For example, when certain driving voltages having frequencies of 10 KHz to 1 MHz are supplied, theliquid crystal 420acan be changed to be aligned from the homeotropic state to the random state including the planar state with a random tilt angle. However, the frequency of the voltages is not limited thereto. - Accordingly, if light is incident from the outside to the
liquid crystal unit 420, since theliquid crystal 420ain theliquid crystal unit 420 maintains a random state with a random tilt angle, the light is scattered in theliquid crystal unit 420. - Further, a method for converting the light shielding mode to the transparent mode is the same as the method described above with reference to
FIG. 5 . - In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 5 andFIG. 6 , thelight controlling apparatus 400 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention can maintain a transparent mode in an initial state and maintain a light shielding mode when voltages are applied to thefirst electrode unit 411 and thesecond electrode unit 412. Therefore, since the lightcontrolling apparatus 400 can maintain the transparent mode in an initial state and also maintain the light shielding mode if necessary, power consumption of the lightcontrolling apparatus 400 can be reduced. Thus, thelight controlling apparatus 400 can be used as a glass window or a smart window in public facilities. - Although
FIG. 5 illustrates that both of thefirst electrode unit 411 and thesecond electrode unit 412 include a plurality of patterned electrodes, only one among thefirst electrode unit 411 and thesecond electrode unit 412 may include a plurality of patterned electrodes. In addition, althoughFIG. 6 illustrates that both of thefirst electrode unit 411 and thesecond electrode unit 412 include a plurality of patterned electrodes and a common electrode, only one among thefirst electrode unit 411 and thesecond electrode unit 412 may include a plurality of patterned electrodes and a common electrode. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a light controlling apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the present exemplary embodiment, descriptions about components identical or corresponding to those of the above-described exemplary embodiments will be omitted. Hereinafter, referring toFIG. 7 , a light controlling apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described.- As illustrated in
FIG. 7 , alightcontrolling apparatus 500 includes anelectrode unit 510, aliquid crystal unit 520, analignment unit 530, awall 540, anetwork 550, and a spacer. To be more specific, thealignment unit 530, thewall 540, thenetwork 550, and the spacer constituting the lightcontrolling apparatus 500 of the present exemplary embodiment are respectively identical to thealignment unit 430, thewall 440, thenetwork 450, and the spacer constituting the lightcontrolling apparatus 400 described above with reference toFIG. 5 . Therefore, redundant descriptions about the components described above with reference toFIG. 5 will be omitted. - As illustrated in
FIG. 7 , theelectrode unit 510 constituting the lightcontrolling apparatus 500 includes afirst electrode unit 511 and asecond electrode unit 512 provided to face each other, and theliquid crystal unit 520 may be positioned between thefirst electrode unit 511 and thesecond electrode unit 512. Thefirst electrode unit 511 includes asubstrate 511aformed of a transparent material and an electrode511bpositioned on thesubstrate 511a. The electrode511bincludes a plurality of patterned electrodes. However, thesecond electrode unit 512 includes only asubstrate 512aformed of a transparent material but does not include an electrode on the substrate. That is, only thefirst electrode unit 511 among thefirst electrode unit 511 and thesecond electrode unit 512 includes the plurality of patterned electrodes511band thesecond electrode unit 512 does not include an electrode. The patterned electrode511bof thefirst electrode unit 511 is configured to apply a horizontal electric field to aliquid crystal 520ain theliquid crystal unit 520. Herein, a driving method of thefirst electrode unit 511 including the patterned electrode511bis the same as the method described above with reference toFIG. 5 . Thus, redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. Thesubstrates substrates FIG. 1 . Further, a material of the electrode511bconstituting thefirst electrode unit 511 is identical to the material of theelectrode 111bdescribed above with reference toFIG. 1 . - Although not illustrated in
FIG. 7 , thesecond electrode unit 512 may include a plurality of patterned electrodes and thefirst electrode unit 511 may not include an electrode. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a light controlling apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the present exemplary embodiment, descriptions about components identical or corresponding to those of the above-described exemplary embodiments will be omitted. Hereinafter, referring toFIG. 8 , a light controlling apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described.- As illustrated in
FIG. 8 , alightcontrolling apparatus 600 includes anelectrode unit 610, aliquid crystal unit 620, analignment unit 630, awall 640, anetwork 650, a spacer, and acoloring member 670. To be more specific, theelectrode unit 610, theliquid crystal unit 620, thealignment unit 630, thewall 640, thenetwork 650, and the spacer constituting the lightcontrolling apparatus 600 of the present exemplary embodiment are respectively identical to theelectrode unit 410, theliquid crystal unit 420, thealignment unit 430, thewall 440, thenetwork 450, and the spacer constituting the lightcontrolling apparatus 400 described above with reference toFIG. 5 andFIG. 6 . Therefore, redundant descriptions about the components described above with reference toFIG. 5 andFIG. 6 will be omitted. - Referring to
FIG. 8 , thelight controlling apparatus 600 according to the present exemplary embodiment further includes thecoloring member 670 positioned in theliquid crystal unit 620. Thecoloring member 670 according to the present exemplary embodiment is identical to thecoloring member 270 described above with reference toFIG. 3 . That is, thecoloring member 670 may be formed of a dye having any one color of black, red, green, blue, and yellow or a combination color thereof. - Thus, the
light controlling apparatus 600 according to the present exemplary embodiment can display various colors as well as black-based colors and also shield a background while exhibits the light shielding mode. Further, since the lightcontrolling apparatus 600 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention can provide various colors during the light shielding mode, it is possible to provide an aesthetic effect to the user. For example, thelight controlling apparatus 600 can be used in a public place, and if the lightcontrolling apparatus 600 is applied to a smart window or a public window in need of a transparent mode and a light shielding mode, thelight controlling apparatus 500 can display various colors depending on time or place and also shield a light. In addition, a role, an effect, and a driving method of thecoloring member 670 according to the present exemplary embodiment are identical to those of thecoloring member 270 described above with reference toFIG. 3 . FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a light controlling apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the present exemplary embodiment, descriptions about components identical or corresponding to those of the above-described exemplary embodiments will be omitted. Hereinafter, referring toFIG. 9 , a light controlling apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described.- As illustrated in
FIG. 9 , alightcontrolling apparatus 700 includes anelectrode unit 710, aliquid crystal unit 720, analignment unit 730, awall 740, anetwork 750, a spacer, a coloring member770, and a refractiveindex matching layer 780. To be more specific, theelectrode unit 710, theliquid crystal unit 720, thealignment unit 730, thewall 740, thenetwork 750, and the spacer constituting the lightcontrolling apparatus 700 of the present exemplary embodiment are respectively identical to theelectrode unit 410, theliquid crystal unit 420, thealignment unit 430, thewall 440, thenetwork 450, and the spacer constituting the lightcontrolling apparatus 400 described above with reference toFIG. 5 . Further, the coloring member770 constituting the lightcontrolling apparatus 700 is identical to thecoloring member 670 described above with reference toFIG. 8 . - Referring to
FIG. 9 , thelight controlling apparatus 700 further includes the refractiveindex matching layer 780. Herein, a role, an effect, and a function of the refractiveindex matching layer 780 according to the present exemplary embodiment are identical to those of the refractiveindex matching layer 380 described above with reference toFIG. 4 . Therefore, redundant descriptions on the components described above with reference toFIG. 4 toFIG. 8 will be omitted. - The refractive
index matching layer 780 compensates a difference in refractive index between the components constituting the lightcontrolling apparatus 700. Thus, the refractiveindex matching layer 780 provides an improved transmittance ratio as compared with a case where the lightcontrolling apparatus 700 exhibits a transparent mode, and also provides an improved light shielding ratio as compared with a case where the lightcontrolling apparatus 700 exhibits a light shielding mode. Further, since the refractiveindex matching layer 780 is formed of an insulating material, the refractiveindex matching layer 780 can prevent occurrence of a short within thelight controlling apparatus 700 and thus can increase driving reliability of the lightcontrolling apparatus 700. - Hereinafter, a fabricating process of a light controlling apparatus according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to
FIG. 10a toFIG. 10f which are schematic sequence diagrams of the fabricating process of the light controlling apparatus according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention.FIG. 10a toFIG. 10f illustrate a fabricating process of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 illustrated inFIG. 1 . - As illustrated in
FIG. 10a , a mixedliquid crystal 120m, in which afirst monomer 141m, asecond monomer 142m, and theliquid crystal 120aare mixed, is prepared. Herein, theliquid crystal 120ais at least one among a negative type liquid crystal, a positive type liquid crystal, or a DFLC. Among themonomers first monomer 141mis a monomer for forming thefirst polymer 141 and thesecond monomer 142mis a monomer for forming thesecond polymer 142. - Herein, a ratio of the
liquid crystal 120ato themonomers liquid crystal 120ais less than 80 wt % of the mixedliquid crystal 120m, the scattering of light caused by theliquid crystal 120amay not occur well. If theliquid crystal 120ais more than 95 wt % of the mixedliquid crystal 120m, the scattering of light caused by theliquid crystal 120amay excessively occur, which may cause a transparent mode not to be realized well. Thus, the ratio of theliquid crystal 120ato themonomers first monomer 141mto thesecond monomer 142mmay be 1:1 to 1:2.5 that is not regarded to a ratio of theliquid crystal 120ato the first andsecond monomers - In some exemplary embodiments, the mixed
liquid crystal 120mmay further include thecoloring member FIG. 3 ,FIG. 4 ,FIG. 8 andFIG. 9 . Further, since thecoloring members liquid crystal 120aand themonomers coloring members monomers monomers coloring members - Then, as illustrated in
FIG. 10b , thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112 are prepared. To be specific, theelectrode 111bis disposed on one surface of thesubstrate 111aand theelectrode 112bis disposed on one surface of thesubstrate 112ato prepare thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112. In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 10b , thefirst alignment member 131 may be disposed on thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond alignment member 132 may be disposed on thesecond electrode unit 112. - Then, the spacer is positioned on at least one among the
first electrode unit 111 or thesecond electrode unit 112. For example, the spacer may be positioned on thefirst electrode unit 111, or the spacer may be positioned on thesecond electrode unit 112. - Then, the
first electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112 are laminated or assembled to each other with the spacer interposed therebetween. - Then, as illustrated in
FIG. 10c , in a state where the cell gap is formed by the spacer, a mixed liquid crystal unit having the mixedliquid crystal 120mis formed in thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112. To be more specific, in a state where thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112 are laminated or assembled to each other, the mixedliquid crystal 120mmay be formed between thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112 by an injection method using a capillary phenomenon. - In some exemplary embodiments, if the
first electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112 are laminated or assembled to each other using a roll-to-roll process, the mixed liquid crystal may be formed between thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112. The mixing can be achieved by a squeeze method in which the mixed liquid crystal is injected at the same time when the roll-to-roll process is performed. - Then, as illustrated in
FIG. 10d andFIG. 10e , after a mask M having a pattern PT is positioned, the first andsecond monomers wall 140 in a region corresponding to the pattern PT. For example, the curing process may be performed by irradiating UV rays having a wavelength of 365 nm with an intensity of 10 to 100 mW for 10 to 60 minutes. At this time, thewall 140 is formed in the region corresponding to the pattern PT, and thewall 140 includes thefirst polymer 141 and thesecond polymer 142 respectively polymerized from thefirst monomers 141mand thesecond monomers 142mby curing. - To be more specific, the first and
second monomers liquid crystal 120m. As the curing process proceeds, the monomers are converted into polymers in the cured region. As the curing process proceeds, the first andsecond monomers liquid crystal 120m. Therefore, the first andsecond monomers liquid crystal 120mare concentrated in the region where the curing process proceeds. Finally, thewall 140 including the first andsecond polymers - Herein, the
first monomer 141mis a monomer having the same shape as theliquid crystal 120a. Since thefirst monomer 141mhas the same shape as theliquid crystal 120a, it can assist homeotropic state of theliquid crystal 120aduring a UV curing process. That is, since thefirst monomer 141mhas the same shape as theliquid crystal 120a, it can improve vertical alignment of theliquid crystal 120aduring a UV curing process. - Then, as illustrated in
FIG. 10e andFIG. 10f , the first andsecond monomers network 150 is formed. For example, the curing process may be performed by irradiating UV rays having a wavelength of 365 nm with an intensity of 10 to 300 mW for 3 to 100 seconds. Further, UV irradiation energy is determined depending on UV irradiation time and irradiation intensity. Herein, the curing process is performed by varying an irradiation time. Otherwise, the curing process may also be performed by varying irradiation intensity. Therefore, then wall 140 can be formed by curing with a greater UV irradiation energy than curing for forming thenetwork 150. Also, thenetwork 150 can be formed by curing with a smaller UV irradiation energy than curing for forming thewall 140. - Herein, the
network 150 also includes thefirst polymer 141 and thesecond polymer 142 respectively polymerized from the first andsecond monomers wall 140. To be specific, the first andsecond monomers wall 140 are cured at random positions in the entire region during the curing process for forming a network, so that thenetwork 150 is formed. FIG. 11a is a schematic plan view provided for describing a display device to which a light controlling apparatus is applied according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 11b is a cross-sectional view of the display device taken along a line XI-XI′ ofFIG. 11a . Referring toFIG. 11a andFIG. 11b , adisplay device 1100 includes adisplay panel 1190 and the lightcontrolling apparatus 100.FIG. 11a illustrates only some of a plurality of pixels P of thedisplay device 1100 and illustrates only ablack matrix 1140 and thewall 140 of thedisplay device 1100 for convenience in description.- The
display panel 1190 is a panel for displaying an image, and may be, for example, an organic light emitting display panel. To be specific, thedisplay panel 1190 may be a transparent organic light emitting display panel or transparent flexible organic light emitting display panel including a transmissive area TA as illustrated inFIGS. 11aand 11b . However, thedisplay panel 1190 is not limited thereto and may display an image in various ways. - Referring to
FIG. 11b , thedisplay panel 1190 is a top-emission organic light emitting display panel in which a light emitted from an organiclight emitting element 1130 emits toward anupper substrate 1115. Further, thedisplay panel 1190 is a transparent organic light emitting display panel including a transmissive area TA. - Referring to
FIG. 11a andFIG. 11b , thedisplay panel 1190 includes a plurality of pixels P, and each pixel P includes a transmissive area TA, an emissive area EA, and a circuit area CA. The transmissive area TA refers to an area where an external light incident from the outside of thedisplay panel 1190 is transmitted. A user can see a background, i.e., a background of thedisplay device 1100, through the transmissive area TA. The emissive area EA refers to an area where a light emitted from the organiclight emitting element 1130 emits and also refers to an area where an image is displayed by the organiclight emitting element 1130. The circuit area CA refers to an area where various circuits for driving the organiclight emitting element 1130 are disposed, and may overlap with the emissive area EA. - Referring to
FIG. 11b , a thin-film transistor 1120 is disposed on alower substrate 1111 of thedisplay panel 1190. To be specific, the thin-film transistor 1120 is disposed in the circuit area CA, and includes a gate electrode, an active layer, a source electrode, and a drain electrode. Further, agate insulating layer 1112 configured to insulate the gate electrode from the active layer is disposed. Aplanarization layer 1113 configured to planarize an upper part of the thin-film transistor 1120 is disposed on the thin-film transistor 1120, and the organiclight emitting element 1130 is disposed on theplanarization layer 1113. The organiclight emitting element 1130 is disposed in the emissive area EA, and includes ananode 1131 for supplying a hole to an organiclight emitting layer 1132, the organiclight emitting layer 1132, and acathode 1133 for supplying an electron to the organiclight emitting layer 1132. Theanode 1131 is electrically connected with the thin-film transistor 1120 through a contact hole in theplanarization layer 1113. As described above, since thedisplay panel 1190 is a top-emission organic light emitting display panel, theanode 1131 includes, for example, at least a transparent conductive layer formed of transparent conductive oxide (TCO) and a reflective layer disposed under the transparent conductive layer and configured to reflect a light emitted from the organiclight emitting element 1130 to an upper part of thedisplay panel 1190. However, theanode 1131 may be defined as including the transparent conductive layer only, and the reflective layer may be defined as a component separate from theanode 1131. Abank 1114 that defines the emissive area EA is disposed on theanode 1131, and the organiclight emitting layer 1132 and thecathode 1133 are disposed on theanode 1131 and thebank 1114. The organiclight emitting layer 1132 can emit a light of a specific color, for example, a light of any one color of white, red, green, and blue. In the following description, it is described that the organiclight emitting layer 1132 emits a white light. Thecathode 1133 is disposed on the organiclight emitting layer 1132. As described above, since thedisplay panel 1190 is a top-emission organic light emittingdisplay panel 1190, thecathode 1133 may be formed of a transparent conductive material or a metallic material. If thecathode 1133 is formed of a metallic material, thecathode 1133 is formed to have a very small thickness, allowing light emitted from the organiclight emitting layer 1132 to pass through thecathode 1133. - The
black matrix 1140 is disposed on theupper substrate 1115 of thedisplay panel 1190. Theblack matrix 1140 is disposed at a boundary between the pixels P and a boundary between the transmissive area TA and the emissive area EA. Further, acolor filter 1150 is disposed in the emissive area EA on theupper substrate 1115 of thedisplay panel 1190. Thecolor filter 1150 may be one among a red color filter, a green color filter, and a blue color filter, but is not limited thereto, and may be a color filter that transmits a light of another color. Theupper substrate 1115 and thelower substrate 1111 are bonded or assembled to each other by anadhesive layer 1160. Although not illustrated inFIG. 11b , thedisplay panel 1190 may further include a sealing layer for protecting the organiclight emitting element 1130 against moisture or oxygen from the outside. - The light
controlling apparatus 100 may be combined with thedisplay panel 1190. Therefore, thelight controlling apparatus 100 can provide a light shielding mode and a transparent mode to the user. To be more specific, thelight controlling apparatus 100 may be bonded to a rear surface of thedisplay panel 1190 that is opposite from a front surface of thedisplay panel 1190 which is a light emitting surface of thedisplay panel 1190. Herein, although not illustrated inFIG. 11b , if an adhesive member, for example, an optical clear adhesive (OCA) as one among optical transparent adhesives is used to bond or assemble the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 to the rear surface of thetransparent display panel 1190 and a lamination process is performed thereto. The lightcontrolling apparatus 100 can be finally combined with thedisplay panel 1190. Further, the OCA may have a refractive index ranging from 1.4 to 1.9. - The
wall 140 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 is disposed so as to correspond to theblack matrix 1140 of thedisplay panel 1190. That is, as illustrated inFIG. 11a andFIG. 11b , thewall 140 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 is disposed to overlap with theblack matrix 1140 of thedisplay panel 1190 and disposed at all of the boundary between the pixels P of thedisplay panel 1190 and the boundary between the transmissive area TA and the emissive area EA. Herein, a width WA of thewall 140 may be equal to or smaller than a width WB of theblack matrix 1140. If thewall 140 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 is disposed as described above, thewall 140 may be disposed in a mesh structure in a plan view as illustrated inFIG. 11a . Otherwise, although not illustrated, thewall 140 may be disposed in a stripe structure so as to overlap with a part of theblack matrix 1140. - The
wall 140 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 as described above may be manufactured by the same method as described with reference toFIG. 10d . That is, thewall 140 may be formed by irradiating UV rays with the mask M having the pattern PT corresponding to theblack matrix 1140 of thedisplay panel 1190 in order to form thewall 140 at a position corresponding to theblack matrix 1140 of thedisplay panel 1190. - Hereinafter, driving methods of a transparent mode and a light shielding mode of the light
controlling apparatus 100 will be described with reference to thedisplay device 1100 that supplies an image. - While the
display panel 1190 does not supply an image, thelight controlling apparatus 100 exhibits a transparent mode. As described above, since the state of theliquid crystal 120ain theliquid crystal unit 120 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 is in a homeotropic state as an initial state, while a voltage is not applied to the lightcontrolling apparatus 100, thelight controlling apparatus 100 exhibits a transparent mode in which a light incident from the outside is transmitted. - Further, while the
display panel 1190 supplies an image, thelight controlling apparatus 100 exhibits so as to shield a light incident form the rear surface that is opposite surface of the front surface which is a light emitting surface of thedisplay panel 1190. To be specific, while thedisplay panel 1190 supplies an image, a voltage is applied to thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 such that there is a voltage difference between thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 120, and, thus, theliquid crystal 120ain theliquid crystal unit 120 is aligned randomly. Therefore, theliquid crystal unit 120 scatters light incident from the outside, and the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 blocks the light incident from the outside from being seen through the rear surface of thedisplay panel 1190. Thus, the quality of an image can be improved. - Furthermore, the
light controlling apparatus 100 may provide an aesthetic effect to the user, if necessary, in addition to the shielding function. For example, if thecoloring member 270 as illustrated inFIG. 3 is applied to the lightcontrolling apparatus 100, background image having a color is provided to the user by showing the color of thecoloring member 270. - Although
FIG. 11b illustrates that thewall 140 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 is disposed at all of the boundary between the pixels P of thedisplay panel 1190 and the boundary between the transmissive area TA and the emissive area EA, thewall 140 may be disposed so as to overlap with only theblack matrix 1140 disposed at the boundary between the pixels P of thedisplay panel 1190. - Further, since the emissive area EA of the
display panel 1190 is an area for emitting a light but not an area capable of transmitting an external light, a portion of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 corresponding to the emissive area EA may not be realized in a light shielding mode and a transparent mode. That is, the portion of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 corresponding to the emissive area EA may be continuously in a transparent mode. In this regard, althoughFIG. 11b illustrates that theelectrode 111bof thefirst electrode unit 111 and theelectrode 112bof thesecond electrode unit 112 are disposed so as to correspond to all of the emissive area EA and the transmissive area TA, theelectrode 111bof thefirst electrode unit 111 and theelectrode 112bof thesecond electrode unit 112 may be disposed only in the transmissive area TA. - Although
FIG. 11b illustrates that the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 illustrated inFIG. 1 andFIG. 2 is used as the lightcontrolling apparatus 100, thelight controlling apparatus 100 is not limited thereto. The lightcontrolling apparatuses FIG. 3 toFIG. 9 may be used as being combined with thedisplay panel 1190. Further, althoughFIG. 11b illustrates that thefirst electrode unit 111 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 is in contact with thelower substrate 1111 of thedisplay panel 1190, thesecond electrode unit 112 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 may be in contact with thelower substrate 1111 of thedisplay panel 1190. - Furthermore, the
lower substrate 1111 of thedisplay panel 1190 may be one among substrates constituting thefirst electrode unit 111 or thesecond electrode unit 112 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100. For example, if theelectrode 111bof thefirst electrode unit 111 or theelectrode 112bof thesecond electrode unit 112 constituting the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 is formed on a rear surface of thelower substrate 1111 of thedisplay panel 1190, thelower substrate 1111 of thedisplay panel 1190 plays the same role as thesubstrates first electrode unit 111 or thesecond electrode unit 120. Therefore, thelower substrate 1111, theelectrode 111bof thefirst electrode unit 110, or theelectrode 112bof thesecond electrode unit 112 may have the same configuration as thefirst electrode unit 111 orsecond electrode unit 112 as described above. FIG. 11c is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the present exemplary embodiment, descriptions on components identical or corresponding to those of the above-described exemplary embodiment will be omitted. Hereinafter, a display device according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 11 c.- Referring to
FIG. 11c , thewall 140 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 may be disposed so as to overlap with theblack matrix 1140 of thedisplay panel 1190 and may also be disposed in the emissive area EA of thedisplay panel 1190. Herein, a width WA1 of thewall 140 overlapping with theblack matrix 1140 only is equal to the width WB of theblack matrix 1140 and smaller than a width WA2 of thewall 140 overlapping with theblack matrix 1140 and the emissive area EA. Since the emissive area EA of the display penal1190 is an area for emitting a light but not an area capable of transmitting an external light, theliquid crystal 120afor shielding or transmitting an external light may not be disposed in a portion of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 corresponding to the emissive area EA. Therefore, as illustrated inFIG. 11c , thewall 140 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 may be formed so as to correspond to the entire emissive area EA. - The
wall 140 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 may be manufactured by the same method as described with reference toFIG. 10d . That is, thewall 140 may be formed by irradiating UV rays with the mask M having the pattern PT at a position corresponding to theblack matrix 1140 of thedisplay panel 1190 and at a position corresponding to the emissive area EA. - A driving method of the light
controlling apparatus 100 combined with thedisplay panel 1190 is the same as described above with reference toFIG. 11b , and, thus, redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. - Although
FIG. 11c illustrates that thewall 140 is formed so as to correspond to the entire emissive area EA, thewall 140 may be formed so as to correspond to only a partial area of the emissive area EA. FIG. 11d is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the present exemplary embodiment, descriptions on components identical or corresponding to those of the above-described exemplary embodiment will be omitted. Hereinafter, a display device according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 11 d.- Referring to
FIG. 11d , thelight controlling apparatus 100 may be bonded to the front surface as a light emitting surface of thedisplay panel 1190. In this case, although not illustrated inFIG. 11d , if an adhesive member, for example, OCA as one among optical transparent adhesives, is used to bond the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 to the rear surface of thetransparent display panel 1190 and a lamination process is performed thereto. The lightcontrolling apparatus 100 can finally be combined with thedisplay panel 1190. - The
wall 140 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 is disposed so as to correspond to theblack matrix 1140 of thedisplay panel 1190. That is, as illustrated inFIG. 11d , thewall 140 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 is disposed to overlap with theblack matrix 1140 of thedisplay panel 1190 so as to be disposed at all of the boundary between the pixels P of thedisplay panel 1190 and the boundary between the transmissive area TA and the emissive area EA. Herein, the width WA of thewall 140 may be equal to or smaller than the width WB of theblack matrix 1140. If thewall 140 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 is disposed as described above, thewall 140 may be disposed in a mesh structure in a plan view. Otherwise, although not illustrated, thewall 140 may be disposed in a stripe structure so as to overlap with a part of theblack matrix 1140. - The
wall 140 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 as described above may be manufactured by the same method as described with reference toFIG. 10d . That is, thewall 140 may be formed by irradiating UV rays with the mask M having the pattern PT corresponding to theblack matrix 1140 of thedisplay panel 1190 in order to form thewall 140 at a position corresponding to theblack matrix 1140 of thedisplay panel 1190. - Since the light
controlling apparatus 100 is disposed on the front surface of thedisplay panel 1190, theelectrode 111bof thefirst electrode unit 111 and theelectrode 112bof thesecond electrode unit 112 are formed so as to correspond to the transmissive area TA only. During a manufacturing process of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100, theliquid crystal 120aand thecoloring member 140 are disposed on the entire region of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100. That is, as illustrated inFIG. 10c toFIG. 10f , thelight controlling apparatus 100 is manufactured by curing thewall 140 and the network170 in a state where the mixedliquid crystal 120mis disposed on the entire region of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100. Thus, it may be difficult not to dispose theliquid crystal 120aand thecoloring member 140 in a portion of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 corresponding to the emissive area EA to leave the corresponding space empty during a process. - Therefore, if the
electrode 111band theelectrode 112bare disposed in the emissive area EA, thelight controlling apparatus 100 may also be driven in the emissive area EA. Accordingly, a light emitted from the emissive area EA may be blocked by the lightcontrolling apparatus 100. Thus, as illustrated inFIG. 11d , theelectrode 111band theelectrode 112bare disposed so as to correspond to the transmissive area TA only, so that only a portion of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 corresponding to the transmissive area TA is driven and a portion of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 corresponding to the emissive area EA is continuously maintained in a transparent mode. - Hereinafter, driving methods of a transparent mode and a light shielding mode of the light
controlling apparatus 100 will be described with reference to thedisplay device 1100 that supplies an image. - While the
display panel 1190 does not supply an image, thelight controlling apparatus 100 exhibits a transparent mode. That is, while a voltage is not applied to the lightcontrolling apparatus 100, thelight controlling apparatus 100 is realized in a transparent mode in which a light incident from the outside is transmitted. - While the
display panel 1190 supplies an image, thelight controlling apparatus 100 is realized so as to block a light incident form the rear surface. To be specific, while thedisplay panel 1190 supplies an image, a voltage is applied to thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100, and, thus, theliquid crystal 120ain theliquid crystal unit 120 is aligned randomly. Therefore, theliquid crystal unit 120 scatters light incident from the outside, and the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 blocks the light incident from the outside from being seen through the transmissive area TA. Thus, the quality of an image can be improved. In this case, since theelectrode 111band theelectrode 112bare not formed in the portion of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 corresponding to the emissive area EA, thelight controlling apparatus 100 is still realized in a transparent mode, and, thus, the user can see an image through the emissive area EA. - Although
FIG. 11d illustrates that thewall 140 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 is disposed at all of the boundary between the pixels P of thedisplay panel 1190 and the boundary between the transmissive area TA and the emissive area EA, thewall 140 may be disposed so as to overlap with only theblack matrix 1140 disposed at the boundary between the pixels P of thedisplay panel 1190. - Further, the
upper substrate 1115 of thedisplay panel 1190 may be one among substrates constituting thefirst electrode unit 111 or thesecond electrode unit 112 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100. For example, if theelectrode 111bof thefirst electrode unit 111 or theelectrode 112bof thesecond electrode unit 112 constituting the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 is formed on a front surface of theupper substrate 1115 of thedisplay panel 1190, theupper substrate 1115 of thedisplay panel 1190 plays the same role as thesubstrates first electrode unit 111 or thesecond electrode unit 120. Therefore, theupper substrate 1115, theelectrode 111bof thefirst electrode unit 110, or theelectrode 112bof thesecond electrode unit 112 may have the same configuration as thefirst electrode unit 111 orsecond electrode unit 112 as described above. - Furthermore, when the light
controlling apparatus 100 is bonded to the front surface as a light emitting surface of thedisplay panel 1190, thewall 140 may also be formed in the emissive area EA. That is, as illustrated inFIG. 11c , a part of thepartition wall 140 may overlap with theblack matrix 1140 only and another part thereof may overlap with theblack matrix 1140 and the emissive area EA. As described above, since thewall 140 is formed of a UV curing monomer formed of a transparent material capable of transmitting a light, thewall 140 may be formed so as to correspond to the entire emissive area EA in order for the portion of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 corresponding to the emissive area EA to continuously transmit light. - Although
FIG. 11a toFIG. 11d illustrate that thedisplay panel 1100 is an organic light emitting display panel of a top-emission type or a bottom-emission type, thedisplay panel 1100 may be a dual-emission organic light emitting display panel. That is, thedisplay panel 1100 may display an image through a front surface and a rear surface of the display panel. In this case, thelight controlling apparatus 100 may be disposed only on one among the front surface and the rear surface of thedisplay panel 1100 or may be disposed on both of the front surface and the rear surface of thedisplay panel 1100. That is, at least one lightcontrolling apparatus 100 may be attached to thedisplay panel 1100. FIG. 12a is a schematic plan view provided for describing a display device to which a light controlling apparatus is applied according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 12b is a cross-sectional view of the display device taken along a line XII-XII′ ofFIG. 12a . Referring toFIG. 12a andFIG. 12b , adisplay device 1200 includes adisplay panel 1290 and the lightcontrolling apparatus 100.FIG. 12a illustrates only some of a plurality of pixels P of thedisplay device 1200 and illustrates only ablack matrix 1240 and thewall 140 of thedisplay device 1200 for convenience in description. In the present exemplary embodiment, descriptions on components identical or corresponding to those of the above-described exemplary embodiment will be omitted. Hereinafter, thedisplay device 1200 according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 12 a.- Referring to
FIG. 12b , thedisplay panel 1290 may be a bottom-emission organic light emitting display panel in which light emitted from an organiclight emitting element 1230 is released toward alower substrate 1211. Further, thedisplay panel 1290 is a transparent organic light emitting display panel including a transmissive area TA. - Referring to
FIG. 12a andFIG. 12b , thedisplay panel 1290 includes a plurality of pixels P, and each pixel P includes a transmissive area TA, an emissive area EA, and a circuit area CA. As compared with thedisplay device 1100 described above with reference toFIG. 11a andFIG. 11b , thedisplay panel 1290 illustrated inFIG. 12a andFIG. 12b is a bottom-emission organic light emitting display panel, and, thus, the emissive area EA does not overlap with the circuit area CA. That is, since light emitted from the emissive area EA needs to pass through thelower substrate 1211 so as to be released to the outside, the circuit area CA in which various circuits are disposed does not overlap with the emissive area EA. - Referring to
FIG. 12b , a thin-film transistor1220 is disposed on thelower substrate 1211 of thedisplay panel 1290. To be specific, the thin-film transistor1220 is disposed in the circuit area CA. Further, agate insulating layer 1212 configured to insulate a gate electrode from an active layer is provided. Aplanarization layer 1213 configured to planarize an upper part of the thin-film transistor1220 is disposed on the thin-film transistor1220, and the organiclight emitting element 1230 is disposed on theplanarization layer 1213. The organiclight emitting element 1230 is disposed in the emissive area EA, and includes ananode 1231 for supplying a hole to an organiclight emitting layer 1232, the organiclight emitting layer 1232, and acathode 1233 for supplying an electron to the organiclight emitting layer 1232. Theanode 1231 is electrically connected with the thin-film transistor1220 through a contact hole in theplanarization layer 1213. As described above, since thedisplay panel 1290 is a bottom-emission organic light emitting display panel, theanode 1231 includes a transparent conductive layer formed of transparent conductive oxide (TCO). Abank 1214 that defines the emissive area EA is disposed on theanode 1231, and the organiclight emitting layer 1232 and thecathode 1233 are disposed on theanode 1231 and thebank 1214. The organiclight emitting layer 1232 can emit light of a specific color, for example, light of any one color of white, red, green, and blue. In the following description, it is described that the organiclight emitting layer 1232 emits a white light. Thecathode 1233 is disposed on the organiclight emitting layer 1232. As described above, since thedisplay panel 1290 is a bottom-emission organic light emitting display panel, thecathode 1233 may be formed of a metallic material. Theupper substrate 1215 and thelower substrate 1211 are bonded to each other by anadhesive layer 1260. Although not illustrated inFIG. 12b , thedisplay panel 1290 may further include a sealing layer for protecting the organiclight emitting element 1230 against moisture or oxygen from the outside. - The
black matrix 1240 is disposed on thelower substrate 1211 of thedisplay panel 1290. Theblack matrix 1240 is disposed at a boundary between the pixels P, a boundary between the emissive area EA and the circuit area CA, a boundary between the transmissive area TA and the circuit area CA, and in the circuit area CA. Further, acolor filter 1250 is disposed in the emissive area EA on thelower substrate 1211 of thedisplay panel 1290. Thecolor filter 1250 may be one among a red color filter, a green color filter, and a blue color filter, but is not limited thereto, and may be a color filter that transmits light of another color. Anovercoat layer 1216 for planarizing an upper part of thecolor filter 1250 is disposed on thecolor filter 1250, and the thin-film transistor1220 is disposed on theovercoat layer 1216. - The light
controlling apparatus 100 may have a function of a light shielding plate by being combined with thedisplay panel 1290. To be specific, referring toFIG. 12b , thelight controlling apparatus 100 may be bonded to a front surface of thedisplay panel 1290 that is opposite of a rear surface of thedisplay panel 1290 which is a light emitting surface of thedisplay panel 1290. Herein, although not illustrated inFIG. 12b , if an adhesive member, for example, OCA as one among optical transparent adhesives, is used to bond the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 to the rear->front surface of thetransparent display panel 1290 and a lamination process is performed thereto. The lightcontrolling apparatus 100 can be finally combined with thedisplay panel 1290. - The
wall 140 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 is disposed so as to correspond to theblack matrix 1240 of thedisplay panel 1290. That is, as illustrated inFIG. 12b , thewall 140 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 is disposed at the boundary between the pixels P, the boundary between the emissive area EA and the circuit area CA, the boundary between the transmissive area TA and the circuit area CA, and in the circuit area CA. Herein, the width WA1 of thewall 140 disposed at the boundary between the pixels P may be equal to or smaller than a width WB1 of theblack matrix 1240 disposed at the boundary between the pixels P. The width of thewall 140 disposed in the circuit area CA may be equal to or smaller than a width WB2 of theblack matrix 1240 disposed in the circuit area CA. If thewall 140 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 is disposed as described above, thewall 140 may be disposed in a mesh structure in a plane view as illustrated inFIG. 12a . Otherwise, although not illustrated, thewall 140 may be disposed in a stripe structure so as to overlap with some part of theblack matrix 1240. - The
wall 140 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 as described above may be manufactured by the same method as described with reference toFIG. 10d . That is, thewall 140 may be formed by irradiating UV rays with the mask M having the pattern PT corresponding to theblack matrix 1240 of thedisplay panel 1290 in order to form thewall 140 at a position corresponding to theblack matrix 1240 of thedisplay panel 1290. - Hereinafter, driving methods of a transparent mode and a light shielding mode of the light
controlling apparatus 100 will be described with reference to thedisplay device 1200 that supplies an image. - While the
display panel 1290 does not supply an image, thelight controlling apparatus 100 exhibits a transparent mode. As described above, since theliquid crystal 120ain theliquid crystal unit 120 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 is in a homeotropic state as an initial state, while a voltage is not applied to the lightcontrolling apparatus 100, thelight controlling apparatus 100 exhibits a transparent mode in which light incident from the outside is transmitted. - Further, while the
display panel 1290 supplies an image, thelight controlling apparatus 100 is driven so as to block light incident form the front surface that is opposite of the rear surface which is a light emitting surface of thedisplay panel 1290. To be specific, while thedisplay panel 1290 supplies an image, a voltage is applied to thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 112 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 such that there is a voltage difference between thefirst electrode unit 111 and thesecond electrode unit 120, and, thus, theliquid crystal 120ain theliquid crystal unit 120 is aligned randomly. Therefore, theliquid crystal unit 120 scatters light incident from the outside, and the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 blocks the light incident from the outside from being seen through the rear surface of thedisplay panel 1290. Thus, the quality of an image can be improved. - Furthermore, the
display panel 1290 may provide an aesthetic effect to the user, if necessary, in addition to the light shielding plate function. For example, thelight controlling apparatus 100 may provide wallpaper having a color to the user by showing the color of thecoloring member 270 constituting the lightcontrolling apparatus 100. - Although
FIG. 12b illustrates that thewall 140 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 is disposed at all of the boundary between the pixels P, the boundary between the emissive area EA and the circuit area CA, the boundary between the transmissive area TA and the circuit area CA, and in the circuit area CA, thewall 140 may be disposed so as to overlap with only theblack matrix 1240 disposed at the boundary between the pixels P of thedisplay panel 1290. - Further, the
wall 140 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 may also be disposed in the emissive area EA. Since thewall 140 is formed of a UV curing monomer formed of a transparent material capable of transmitting light, thewall 140 may be formed so as to correspond to the entire emissive area EA in order for the portion of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 corresponding to the emissive area EA to continuously transmit light. In this case, thewall 140 may not be disposed in the circuit area CA. - Also, although
FIG. 12b illustrates that theelectrode 111bof thefirst electrode unit 111 and theelectrode 112bof thesecond electrode unit 112 are disposed so as to correspond to all of the emissive area EA and the transmissive area TA, theelectrode 111band theelectrode 112bmay be disposed only in the transmissive area TA. That is, since the emissive area EA of the display penal1290 is an area for emitting light but not an area capable of transmitting an external light, the portion of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 corresponding to the emissive area EA may not be driven in a light shielding mode and a transparent mode. That is, the portion of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 corresponding to the emissive area EA may be continuously in a transparent mode. Thus, theelectrode 111band theelectrode 112bmay be disposed only in the transmissive area TA. - Although
FIG. 12b illustrates that the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 illustrated inFIG. 1 andFIG. 2 is used as the lightcontrolling apparatus 100, thelight controlling apparatus 100 is not limited thereto. The lightcontrolling apparatuses FIG. 3 toFIG. 9 may be used by being combined with thedisplay panel 1290. Further, althoughFIG. 12b illustrates that thefirst electrode unit 111 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 is in contact with theupper substrate 1215 of thedisplay panel 1290, thesecond electrode unit 112 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 may be in contact with theupper substrate 1215 of thedisplay panel 1290. - Furthermore, the
upper substrate 1215 of thedisplay panel 1290 may be one among substrates constituting thefirst electrode unit 111 or thesecond electrode unit 112 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100. For example, if theelectrode 111bof thefirst electrode unit 111 or theelectrode 112bof thesecond electrode unit 112 constituting the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 is formed on a front surface of theupper substrate 1215 of thedisplay panel 1290, theupper substrate 1215 of thedisplay panel 1290 plays the same role as thesubstrates first electrode unit 111 or thesecond electrode unit 120. Therefore, theupper substrate 1215, theelectrode 111bof thefirst electrode unit 110, or theelectrode 112bof thesecond electrode unit 112 may have the same configuration as thefirst electrode unit 111 orsecond electrode unit 112 as described above. - Although
FIG. 12a andFIG. 12b illustrate that the transmissive area TA, the circuit area CA, and the emissive area EA are disposed in sequence in one pixel P, the sequence of the transmissive area TA, the circuit area CA, and the emissive area EA in one pixel P is not limited thereto. FIG. 12c is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the present exemplary embodiment, descriptions on components identical or corresponding to those of the above-described exemplary embodiment will be omitted. Hereinafter, a display device according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 12 c.- Referring to
FIG. 12c , thelight controlling apparatus 100 may be bonded to the rear surface of thedisplay panel 1290 where thedisplay panel 1290 outputs an image. In this case, although not illustrated inFIG. 12c , if an adhesive member, for example, OCA as one among optical transparent adhesives, is used to bond or assemble the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 to the front surface of thetransparent display panel 1290 and a lamination process is performed thereto. The lightcontrolling apparatus 100 can be finally combined with thedisplay panel 1290. - The
wall 140 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 is disposed so as to correspond to theblack matrix 1240 of thedisplay panel 1290. That is, as illustrated inFIG. 12c , as thewall 140 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 is disposed so as to overlap with theblack matrix 1240 of thedisplay panel 1290 thewall 140 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 is disposed at all of the boundary between the pixels P of thedisplay panel 1290, the boundary between the emissive area EA and the circuit area CA, the boundary between the transmissive area TA and the circuit area CA, and in the circuit area CA. - The
wall 140 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 as described above may be manufactured by the same method as described with reference toFIG. 10d . That is, thewall 140 may be formed by irradiating UV rays with the mask M having the pattern PT corresponding to theblack matrix 1240 of thedisplay panel 1290 in order to form thewall 140 at a position corresponding to theblack matrix 1240 of thedisplay panel 1290. - Since the light
controlling apparatus 100 is disposed on the rear surface of thedisplay panel 1290, theelectrode 111bof thefirst electrode unit 111 and theelectrode 112bof thesecond electrode unit 112 are formed so as to correspond to the transmissive area TA only. During a manufacturing process of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100, theliquid crystal 120ais disposed on the entire region of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100. That is, as illustrated inFIG. 10c toFIG. 10f , thelight controlling apparatus 100 is manufactured by curing thewall 140 and the network170 in a state where the mixedliquid crystal 120mis disposed on the entire region of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100. Thus, it may be difficult not to dispose theliquid crystal 120ain a portion of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 corresponding to the emissive area EA to leave the corresponding space empty during a process. Therefore, if theelectrode 111band theelectrode 112bare disposed in the emissive area EA, thelight controlling apparatus 100 may also be driven in the emissive area EA. Accordingly, light emitted from the emissive area EA may be blocked by the lightcontrolling apparatus 100. Thus, as illustrated inFIG. 12c , theelectrode 111band theelectrode 112bare disposed so as to correspond to the transmissive area TA only, so that only a portion of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 corresponding to the transmissive area TA is driven and a portion of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 corresponding to the emissive area EA is continuously maintained in a transparent mode. - Hereinafter, driving methods of a transparent mode and a light shielding mode of the light
controlling apparatus 100 will be described with reference to thedisplay device 1200 that supplies an image. - While the
display panel 1290 does not supply an image, thelight controlling apparatus 100 exhibits a transparent mode. That is, while a voltage is not applied to the lightcontrolling apparatus 100, thelight controlling apparatus 100 is realized in a transparent mode in which light incident from the outside is transmitted. - While the
display panel 1290 supplies an image, thelight controlling apparatus 100 is realized so as to block light incident from the rear surface. To be specific, while thedisplay panel 1290 supplies an image, a voltage is applied to theelectrode 111band theelectrode 112bof thefirst electrode unit 111 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100, and, thus, theliquid crystal 120ain theliquid crystal unit 120 is aligned randomly and theliquid crystal unit 120 scatters light incident from the outside. Therefore, thelight controlling apparatus 100 blocks the light incident from the outside from being seen through the transmissive area TA of thedisplay panel 1290. Thus, the quality of an image can be improved. In this case, since theelectrode 111band theelectrode 112bare not formed in the portion of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 corresponding to the emissive area EA, thelight controlling apparatus 100 is still realized in a transparent mode, and, thus, the user can see an image through the emissive area EA. - Although
FIG. 12c illustrates that thewall 140 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 is disposed at all of the boundary between the pixels P, the boundary between the emissive area EA and the circuit area CA, the boundary between the transmissive area TA and the circuit area CA, and in the circuit area CA, thewall 140 may be disposed so as to overlap with only theblack matrix 1240 disposed at the boundary between the pixels P of thedisplay panel 1290. - Further, the
wall 140 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 may also be disposed in the emissive area EA. Since thewall 140 is formed of a UV curing monomer formed of a transparent material capable of transmitting light, thewall 140 may be formed so as to correspond to the entire emissive area EA in order for the portion of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 corresponding to the emissive area EA to continuously transmit light. In this case, thewall 140 may not be disposed in the circuit area CA. - The
lower substrate 1211 of thedisplay panel 1290 may be one among substrates constituting thefirst electrode unit 111 or thesecond electrode unit 112 of the lightcontrolling apparatus 100. For example, if theelectrode 111bof thefirst electrode unit 111 or theelectrode 112bof thesecond electrode unit 112 constituting the lightcontrolling apparatus 100 is formed on a front surface of thelower substrate 1211 of thedisplay panel 1290, thelower substrate 1211 of thedisplay panel 1290 plays the same role as thesubstrates first electrode unit 111 or thesecond electrode unit 120. Therefore, thelower substrate 1211, theelectrode 111bof thefirst electrode unit 110, or theelectrode 112bof thesecond electrode unit 112 may have the same configuration as thefirst electrode unit 111 orsecond electrode unit 112 as described above. - Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the specific exemplary embodiments, the exemplary embodiments are provided for illustrative purposes only but not intended to limit the light controlling apparatus and the method of fabricating the same according to the present invention. It is clear that the exemplary embodiments can be modified or improved by a person having ordinary skill in the art within a technical concept of the present invention.
- All of simple modifications or changes of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention, and the protective scope of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the appended claims.
Claims (35)
1. A light controlling apparatus comprising:
a first electrode unit and a second electrode unit facing each other;
a liquid crystal unit between the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit and the liquid crystal unit including:
a liquid crystal;
a network having a first polymer polymerized from a first monomer having a similar shape as the liquid crystal and a second polymer polymerized from a second monomer having a shape different from the first monomer; and
a wall having the first polymer and the second polymer.
2. The light controlling apparatus according toclaim 1 , further comprising a spacer on at least one among the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit.
3. The light controlling apparatus according toclaim 1 , wherein the first monomer and the second monomer are UV-hardened monomers.
4. The light controlling apparatus according toclaim 3 , wherein UV wavelengths of the UV-hardened monomers include same wavelength range.
5. The light controlling apparatus according toclaim 1 , wherein the first monomer includes a RM (reactive mesogen)-based monomer.
6. The light controlling apparatus according toclaim 1 , wherein the second monomer includes a Bisphenol A Dimethacrylate-based monomer.
7. The light controlling apparatus according toclaim 1 , wherein the first monomer assists in vertical alignment of the liquid crystal and the second monomer assists in random alignment of the liquid crystal.
8. The light controlling apparatus according toclaim 1 , wherein if the liquid crystal is one among a negative type liquid crystal or a DFLC (dual frequency liquid crystal), each of the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit includes a common electrode.
9. The light controlling apparatus according toclaim 8 , wherein if the liquid crystal is the negative type liquid crystal, each of the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit is configured to apply a vertical electric field to the liquid crystal unit.
10. The light controlling apparatus according toclaim 9 , wherein the light controlling apparatus exhibits a transparent mode with the liquid crystal in a homeotropic state when a voltage is not applied, and wherein the light controlling apparatus exhibits a light shielding mode with the liquid crystal in a random state when a voltage is applied.
11. The light controlling apparatus according toclaim 1 , wherein if the liquid crystal includes one among a positive type liquid crystal or a DFLC (dual frequency liquid crystal), at least one among the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit includes a plurality of patterned electrodes.
12. The light controlling apparatus according toclaim 11 , wherein a horizontal electric field is applied to the patterned electrodes.
13. The light controlling apparatus according toclaim 12 , wherein the light controlling apparatus exhibits a transparent mode with the liquid crystal in a homeotropic state when a voltage is not applied, and wherein the light controlling apparatus exhibits a light shielding mode with the liquid crystal in a random state when a voltage is applied.
14. The light controlling apparatus according toclaim 1 , wherein if the liquid crystal includes one among a positive type liquid crystal or a DFLC, at least one among the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit includes a plurality of patterned electrodes and a common electrode.
15. The light controlling apparatus according toclaim 14 , wherein a horizontal electric field is applied to the patterned electrode and the common electrode.
16. The light controlling apparatus according toclaim 15 , wherein the light controlling apparatus exhibits a transparent mode with the liquid crystal in a homeotropic state when a voltage is not applied, and wherein the light controlling apparatus exhibits a light shielding mode with the liquid crystal in a random state when a voltage is applied.
17. The light controlling apparatus according toclaim 1 , further comprising an alignment unit configured to align the liquid crystal in a homeotropic state.
18. The light controlling apparatus according toclaim 17 , wherein the alignment unit is on or under the liquid crystal unit.
19. A method of fabricating a light controlling apparatus, comprising:
laminating a first electrode unit to a second electrode unit;
forming a liquid crystal unit between the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit, the liquid crystal unit including a mixed liquid crystal having a first monomer, a second monomer and a liquid crystal;
forming a wall corresponding to a pattern of a mask on the first electrode unit or on the second electrode unit by polymerizing the first monomer and the second monomer; and
forming a network by polymerizing the first monomer and the second monomer with a lower irradiation energy than the forming of the wall.
20. The method of fabricating a light controlling apparatus, further comprising disposing of a spacer on at least one among the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit.
21. The method of fabricating a light controlling apparatus according toclaim 19 , wherein the first monomer and the second monomer are polymerized with a light having the same wavelength range.
22. The method of fabricating a light controlling apparatus according toclaim 19 , wherein each of the forming of the wall and the forming of the network includes polymerizing the first monomer and the second monomer by irradiation with UV rays.
23. The method of fabricating a light controlling apparatus according toclaim 19 , wherein the first monomer includes a RM (reactive mesogen)-based monomer.
24. The method of fabricating a light controlling apparatus according toclaim 19 , wherein the second monomer includes a Bisphenol A Dimethacrylate-based monomer.
25. A mixed liquid crystal in which a liquid crystal, a first monomer and a second monomer are present, wherein the first monomer has a similar shape as the liquid crystal and the second monomer has a shape different from the first monomer, and wherein the first monomer and the second monomer are configured to have both a network and a wall in a light controlling apparatus.
26. The mixed liquid crystal according toclaim 25 , wherein the light controlling apparatus exhibits a transparent mode with the liquid crystal in a homeotropic state when a voltage is not applied, and wherein the light controlling apparatus exhibits a light shielding mode with the liquid crystal in a random state when a voltage is applied.
27. The mixed liquid crystal according toclaim 25 , wherein the first monomer and the second monomer are cured by UV irradiation at the same wavelength range.
28. The mixed liquid crystal according toclaim 25 , wherein the first monomer includes an RM (reactive mesogen)-based monomer.
29. The mixed liquid crystal according toclaim 25 , wherein the second monomer includes a Bisphenol A Dimethacrylate-based monomer.
30. The mixed liquid crystal according toclaim 25 , wherein the first monomer and the second monomer are polymerized by irradiation with UV rays.
31. The mixed liquid crystal according toclaim 25 , wherein the liquid crystal includes one among a positive liquid crystal, a negative liquid crystal or a DFLC (dual frequency liquid crystal).
32. A display device comprising:
a display panel; and
at least one light controlling apparatus according toclaim 1 attached to the display panel.
33. The display device according toclaim 32 , wherein the display panel is an OLED panel.
34. The display device according toclaim 32 , wherein the light controlling apparatus is attached to the front surface of the display panel.
35. The display device according toclaim 32 , wherein the light controlling apparatus is attached to the rear surface of the display panel.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
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| KR10-2014-0170655 | 2014-12-02 | ||
| KR1020150087803AKR102388894B1 (en) | 2014-12-02 | 2015-06-19 | A light controlling apparatus and method of fabricating the same |
| KR10-2015-0087803 | 2015-06-19 |
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| US20160154259A1true US20160154259A1 (en) | 2016-06-02 |
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| US14/837,090Active2035-11-20US9804467B2 (en) | 2014-12-02 | 2015-08-27 | Light controlling apparatus and method of fabricating the same |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
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| US (1) | US9804467B2 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP3029519B1 (en) |
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Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP3029519B1 (en) | 2018-03-07 |
| EP3029519A1 (en) | 2016-06-08 |
| US9804467B2 (en) | 2017-10-31 |
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